David L Shellabarger

David L. Shellabarger serves as a Contracting Officer within the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Propulsion Directorate (FA8650), where he manages complex research and development acquisitions critical to advancing U.S. air and space dominance. His portfolio centers on next-generation aerospace propulsion systems, hypersonic technologies, and high-performance functional materials, supporting the agency’s mission to accelerate innovation in propulsion science and adaptive flight control. Shellabarger oversees full lifecycle contract actions—from solicitation and evaluation to award and administration—ensuring compliance with federal acquisition regulations while aligning procurements with strategic R&D priorities. He maintains enduring partnerships with leading aerospace and defense contractors including UES INC, General Electric Company, DCS Corporation, Spirit Aerosystems Inc., and Advanced Thermoplastic Composites LLC. These relationships are built on sustained collaboration in technical domains requiring deep engineering expertise, such as turbine blade design, thermal management systems, and advanced composite manufacturing. Shellabarger consistently engages these vendors on cost-reimbursable and firm-fixed-price R&D contracts, fostering long-term technical alignment and performance accountability. Shellabarger’s contracting activity reflects a strong emphasis on open competition, with 100% of his awards issued under no set-aside provisions. This approach prioritizes technical excellence and mission readiness over socioeconomic classifications, reflecting the specialized nature of propulsion research where only a limited pool of qualified vendors possess the required capabilities. His primary procurement focus is on NAICS 541712—Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences—where he secures advanced engineering services, computational modeling, materials characterization, and prototype development. His expertise lies in acquiring high-risk, high-reward technical solutions that bridge fundamental science and operational deployment, ensuring the U.S. maintains a decisive edge in aerospace propulsion innovation.