Denice Jacobs

Denice Jacobs serves as a Program Engineer within the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Propulsion Directorate (FA8650), where she plays a pivotal role in advancing next-generation aerospace propulsion, hypersonic systems, and high-performance materials research. Her responsibilities include technical oversight of research and development contracts, ensuring alignment with mission-critical air and space dominance objectives. She interfaces closely with industry partners to translate complex engineering requirements into actionable acquisition strategies, primarily managing sole-source and competitive R&D procurements under the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences NAICS category. Her work bridges technical innovation with acquisition execution, ensuring that cutting-edge propulsion technologies transition efficiently from laboratory prototypes to operational readiness. Jacobs maintains consistent working relationships with leading aerospace and defense 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, with vendors providing specialized expertise in propulsion system design, adaptive flight control algorithms, and advanced composite material development. Her procurement approach emphasizes long-term technical alignment over transactional vendor relationships, fostering sustained engagement with contractors who demonstrate proven capability in high-risk, high-reward propulsion research domains. Jacobs’ contracting portfolio reflects a strong preference for open competition, with 100% of her acquisitions issued under no set-aside categories. This reflects the highly specialized, mission-critical nature of the work, which often requires subject-matter expertise available only from established industry leaders with extensive defense infrastructure and security clearances. While small business participation is not structurally prioritized in her portfolio, she ensures all procurements adhere to full and open competition principles as mandated by federal acquisition regulations. Her primary procurement focus is on NAICS 541715, encompassing research and development in physical and engineering sciences. She consistently acquires services related to computational fluid dynamics modeling, hypersonic thermal protection systems, turbine engine materials, and adaptive propulsion control software. Her technical domain expertise spans propulsion system integration, advanced material characterization, and flight-environment simulation, making her a key enabler of the Air Force’s next-generation propulsion roadmap.