Dale L Schaffer

Dale L. Schaffer serves as a Project Officer with the FA8823 Sustainment MCPNT SSC/PKL under the Department of the Air Force, where he plays a critical role in managing the lifecycle sustainment and modernization of aerospace and space-based defense systems. His responsibilities include overseeing technical requirements, evaluating contractor performance, and ensuring compliance with mission-critical readiness standards for guided missile systems, satellite communications platforms, and global navigation satellite infrastructure. Schaffer works closely with acquisition teams to translate operational needs into executable contract actions, primarily handling complex engineering, logistics, and systems integration procurements essential to maintaining air and space superiority. Schaffer’s contractor relationships are characterized by long-term partnerships with defense prime contractors and specialized systems integrators experienced in classified aerospace environments. He collaborates with vendors possessing ITAR compliance, security clearances, and deep expertise in space domain awareness, signal processing, and command and control architecture. His working pattern emphasizes performance-based contracting, with a focus on deliverables tied to system availability, reliability, and sustainment metrics rather than purely cost-driven outcomes. Schaffer’s procurement activity reflects a strong preference for open competition, with 100% of his acquisitions conducted without set-asides, indicating a focus on technical capability and mission urgency over socioeconomic categorization. While he does not routinely prioritize 8(a), HUBZone, or SDVOSB programs, his approach remains compliant with all federal acquisition regulations and emphasizes merit-based selection based on technical proficiency and past performance. His industry focus centers on NAICS categories related to aerospace defense systems, including advanced electronics, space vehicle sustainment, and secure communications infrastructure. Schaffer regularly procures mission-critical hardware, firmware, and software solutions for satellite constellations, ground control segments, and missile guidance systems, demonstrating deep technical fluency in space and missile sustainment domains.