David Velarde

David Velarde serves as a contracting professional within the 355th Contracting Squadron (FA4877) of the Department of the Air Force, where he plays a pivotal role in securing mission-critical capabilities to sustain airpower readiness. He manages a diverse portfolio of acquisitions spanning aircraft components, avionics systems, facility infrastructure, and logistical support services essential to base operations and aerospace maintenance. His work directly enables operational continuity for training, aircraft sustainment, and mission-enabling infrastructure, ensuring compliance with federal acquisition regulations while aligning procurement outcomes with Air Force readiness objectives. Velarde maintains strong, ongoing relationships with key contractors including MILLER ELECTRIC COMPANY INC., ATLANTIC PACIFIC STANDARD LLC, DAP CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT LLC, BSE PERFORMANCE, LLC, and LAVISH LIFE TECHNOLOGIES LLC. These partnerships reflect a balanced approach to sourcing specialized technical services, construction, and advanced equipment, with a preference for vendors demonstrating proven capability in aerospace-supporting domains. His contracting patterns emphasize reliability, technical precision, and performance-based outcomes, fostering long-term vendor collaboration grounded in compliance and mission alignment. A defining feature of Velarde’s procurement strategy is his strong commitment to small business participation, with over 65% of awards structured as total small business set-asides under FAR 19.5. He consistently prioritizes socioeconomic programs, including HUBZone and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business set-asides, reflecting a deliberate effort to broaden vendor diversity and enhance community economic resilience through federal contracting. His technical focus centers on NAICS categories including 236220 (Commercial and Institutional Building Construction), 237110 (Water and Sewer Line Construction), 334210 (Telephone Apparatus Manufacturing), and 238910 (Site Preparation), indicating expertise in facility modernization, utility infrastructure, and communications systems integration. This specialization underscores his role in procuring mission-enabling physical and technical assets that support both operational and environmental sustainability across Air Force installations.