Craig J. Carlton

Craig J. Carlton serves as a Contract Specialist within the Department of the Air Force’s FA7014 office, responsible for managing the full lifecycle of professional services acquisitions critical to sustaining Air Force operational readiness. He specializes in securing technical and administrative support services aligned with the agency’s priorities in systems engineering and technical assistance (SETA), enterprise IT modernization, and mission-critical analytics. Carlton ensures compliance with federal acquisition regulations while facilitating timely, efficient contract awards that enable mission success across complex, high-stakes environments. His portfolio primarily consists of non-personal services contracts requiring specialized expertise in cybersecurity, data analytics, and defense-related consulting. Carlton maintains longstanding relationships with key contractors including SIGMATECH, INC. and PURDUE UNIVERSITY, both recognized for their deep technical capabilities in defense-oriented professional services. His procurement approach emphasizes performance-based contracting and outcome-driven deliverables, fostering collaborative partnerships with vendors who bring proven expertise in government-scale systems integration and research-driven solutions. These relationships are characterized by repeat engagements, structured task order execution under indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) vehicles, and a focus on continuity of technical support across multi-year mission cycles. Carlton’s contracting activity reflects a strict preference for full and open competition, with 100% of his awards issued without set-asides, including no use of 8(a), HUBZone, or SDVOSB programs. This reflects a mission-driven emphasis on accessing the broadest possible pool of technical talent to meet complex Air Force requirements, prioritizing capability and performance over socioeconomic classifications. His procurement focus is exclusively concentrated under NAICS 541990—All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services—encompassing a wide array of high-demand capabilities such as cybersecurity consulting, systems analysis, enterprise architecture, and mission support services. Carlton’s expertise lies in acquiring specialized technical assistance that directly enables the modernization and resilience of Air Force infrastructure and operational systems.