Dawn Dalhamer

Dawn Dalhamer serves as a Contracting Officer within the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Propulsion Directorate (FA8650), where she manages complex research and development acquisitions critical to advancing U.S. air and space dominance. Her portfolio focuses on high-priority propulsion systems, hypersonic technologies, and advanced functional materials, ensuring timely delivery of cutting-edge capabilities through full and open competition. She plays a pivotal role in executing the agency’s mission to accelerate innovation by structuring contracts that support both foundational science and applied engineering efforts, often involving multi-year, high-risk R&D initiatives requiring technical flexibility and performance-based acquisition strategies. Dalhamer maintains consistent 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 reflect a pattern of engagement with Tier-1 prime contractors possessing deep expertise in propulsion system integration, adaptive flight controls, and high-temperature materials development. Her procurement approach emphasizes technical rigor, performance metrics, and risk mitigation, fostering long-term collaboration with vendors capable of delivering mission-critical solutions under stringent aerospace standards. Dalhamer’s contracting activity is entirely conducted under full and open competition, with no set-asides designated for 8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB, or other socioeconomic programs. This reflects the specialized nature of the technical requirements, where only a limited pool of industry participants possesses the necessary clearance, infrastructure, and domain expertise to meet the Air Force’s propulsion and hypersonics objectives. While small business participation is not formally structured through set-asides, she ensures compliance with all applicable small business subcontracting goals where contract performance permits. Her primary procurement focus is concentrated under NAICS 541712—Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences—where she acquires advanced engineering services, computational modeling, materials characterization, and prototype development for next-generation propulsion architectures. Her technical domain spans turbine engine innovation, scramjet integration, thermal protection systems, and high-strength polymer composites, requiring deep familiarity with DoD acquisition regulations and technical evaluation criteria for science and engineering contracts.