David Romo-Garza

David Romo-Garza serves as a Contract Negotiator within the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Rocket Propulsion Division (FA9453), where he plays a pivotal role in advancing the Department of the Air Force’s mission to develop next-generation space and aerospace technologies. He specializes in negotiating complex research and development contracts for high-performance instrumentation, resilient computing architectures, and space domain awareness systems. His work directly supports rapid prototyping initiatives and foundational science programs critical to U.S. dominance in autonomous space operations and satellite communications. Romo-Garza handles sole-source, competitive, and other non-traditional acquisition pathways to ensure timely delivery of cutting-edge capabilities aligned with national security priorities. While specific contractor names are not publicly disclosed, Romo-Garza maintains active partnerships with a diverse ecosystem of defense contractors, aerospace engineering firms, and advanced technology providers specializing in propulsion systems, space-grade electronics, and data-intensive instrumentation. His negotiation approach emphasizes technical alignment, performance-based outcomes, and risk-sharing mechanisms, fostering long-term collaborations with vendors capable of delivering innovation under tight developmental timelines. He frequently engages with firms possessing DoD 5000.02 compliance expertise and experience in classified space programs. Romo-Garza demonstrates a strong commitment to small business participation, with approximately 20% of his acquisitions structured as Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5. While the majority of his portfolio remains open to all competitors, he actively encourages qualified small businesses to compete for R&D opportunities, aligning with Air Force initiatives to broaden the industrial base. His contracting patterns reflect a balanced approach—prioritizing technical excellence while fostering socioeconomic diversity among vendors. His procurement focus is exclusively centered on NAICS 541712—Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences—encompassing advanced propulsion systems, space-qualified sensors, autonomous navigation algorithms, and high-fidelity simulation tools. He routinely negotiates contracts for experimental hardware, prototype development, and systems integration services critical to next-generation space architectures.