Corrine Baca Gonzales

Corrine Baca Gonzales serves as a Contract Specialist within the Air Force Research Laboratory’s RDK division (FA9451), responsible for managing the full lifecycle of research and development acquisitions critical to national aerospace superiority. She plays a pivotal role in executing complex procurements for advanced physical and engineering sciences, ensuring compliance with federal regulations while aligning contract vehicles with the laboratory’s mission to develop directed energy systems, electro-optical sensors, and precision instrumentation. Her work directly supports the transition of laboratory innovations into operational capabilities for air dominance, focusing on high-technical-risk, mission-critical R&D contracts requiring specialized scientific and engineering expertise. Corrine collaborates with a diverse ecosystem of defense contractors, research institutions, and engineering firms capable of delivering cutting-edge solutions in laser systems, optical diagnostics, and high-precision measurement instrumentation. While no single contractor dominates her portfolio, she consistently engages vendors with proven capabilities in experimental physics, laser vulnerability analysis, and advanced test and evaluation platforms. Her contracting approach emphasizes technical rigor, performance-based outcomes, and long-term partnerships with firms possessing deep domain knowledge in aerospace defense technologies. Her procurement pattern reflects a strong preference for unrestricted competitions, with 100% of her acquisitions conducted under non-set-aside authorities. This indicates a strategic focus on selecting the most technically qualified offerors regardless of socioeconomic status, prioritizing mission readiness and innovation over mandated set-asides. While small business participation is not formally targeted in her portfolio, she remains compliant with all federal small business outreach requirements. Corrine’s primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 541715 (Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences), which accounts for 75% of her activity, and NAICS 334515 (Instrument Manufacturing for Measuring and Testing Electricity and Electrical Signals), comprising 25%. She routinely procures custom-built laser diagnostics, high-speed photodetectors, electro-optical testbeds, and specialized calibration systems essential for validating next-generation aerospace technologies. Her expertise centers on complex, science-driven acquisitions requiring deep technical evaluation and risk-managed contracting strategies.