Dawn M Ross

Dawn M. Ross serves as a Contracting Officer within the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Propulsion Directorate (FA8650), where she leads the acquisition of advanced aerospace technologies critical to U.S. air and space dominance. Her portfolio centers on research and development contracts for next-generation propulsion systems, hypersonic flight technologies, and high-performance functional materials. She plays a pivotal role in executing complex, technical procurements that bridge fundamental science and operational capability, ensuring timely delivery of mission-critical innovations to the Department of the Air Force. Her acquisitions are primarily performance-based, often involving cost-reimbursement and firm-fixed-price contracts under FAR Part 35 and Part 36, with a strong emphasis on technical merit and innovation. Ross maintains long-standing relationships with leading defense and aerospace contractors including UES INC, General Electric Company, DCS Corporation, Spirit Aerosystems Inc., and Advanced Thermoplastic Composites LLC. These partnerships are characterized by deep technical collaboration, iterative prototyping, and sustained R&D engagement across multiple contract vehicles. Her procurement approach prioritizes vendor expertise in propulsion systems, aerothermal modeling, and advanced composite manufacturing, fostering collaborative environments that accelerate technology transition from lab to field. Her contracting activity exhibits a 100% no set-aside profile, reflecting the highly specialized, mission-essential nature of the work she manages. While small business participation is not mandated through socioeconomic set-asides, she actively encourages teaming arrangements and subcontracting opportunities where technically viable, aligning with AFRL’s broader innovation ecosystem goals. Ross’s procurement focus is exclusively under NAICS 541712—Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences—targeting advanced materials, adaptive flight control systems, and propulsion component development. Her expertise lies in evaluating technical proposals requiring deep domain knowledge in aerospace engineering, thermodynamics, and materials science, ensuring contract awards align with the Air Force’s strategic propulsion modernization roadmap.