Dan McAlister

Dan McAlister serves as Chief of the New Contracts Branch (SMC/PIC) within the FA8823 Sustainment MCPNT SSC/PKL, a critical unit under the Department of the Air Force responsible for sustaining and modernizing aerospace and space-based defense systems. In this leadership role, he oversees the full lifecycle of new contract actions for high-priority technical programs, including guided missile sustainment, satellite communications infrastructure, and global positioning system modernization. His branch is central to ensuring operational readiness through timely, compliant, and technically sound procurement of advanced engineering and research services. McAlister’s portfolio is dominated by complex, mission-critical acquisitions requiring deep technical expertise and rigorous risk mitigation in support of national space and defense priorities. McAlister’s contracting activities are characterized by strategic partnerships with a select group of prime contractors possessing proven capability in aerospace systems sustainment, systems engineering, and advanced R&D. While no single vendor dominates the award landscape, his branch consistently engages with firms that demonstrate technical excellence in space systems integration, signal processing, and command and control architecture development. His approach emphasizes performance-based contracting, outcome-driven requirements, and long-term contractor accountability to ensure mission continuity and technological superiority. McAlister’s procurement patterns reflect a strong preference for open competition, with 100% of contracts awarded under non-set-aside authorities. This indicates a focus on selecting the most capable and qualified offerors regardless of socioeconomic status, prioritizing technical merit and mission necessity over mandated set-asides. While small business participation is not formally targeted, the nature of the work often attracts qualified small firms through competitive, full-and-open solicitations. The branch’s entire acquisition portfolio is concentrated under NAICS 541712—Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences—reflecting an intense focus on advanced engineering research, systems analysis, and technology maturation. McAlister’s team procures services including prototype development, systems integration, electromagnetic spectrum analysis, and sustainment engineering for space-based platforms, requiring deep domain expertise in defense aerospace systems and mission-critical infrastructure.