Derrick Barnes

Derrick Barnes serves as a key procurement lead within the FA8102 Aflcmc Hbk, a critical unit under the Department of the Air Force responsible for sustaining and modernizing air domain capabilities. He manages acquisitions for mission-critical systems involving aeronautical navigation, detection, and command infrastructure, ensuring operational readiness through integrated engineering and technical support services. His portfolio encompasses complex, high-stakes contracts requiring rigorous systems integration, cybersecurity compliance, and infrastructure modernization, aligning directly with the agency’s mission to maintain air superiority and enhance air traffic control resilience. Barnes maintains a consistent working relationship with BETTER DIRECT, LLC, a primary contractor delivering specialized services across multiple technical domains. His procurement approach favors established vendors with proven expertise in defense-grade systems, while also integrating smaller, agile providers capable of rapid deployment and tailored support. His contracting patterns reflect a balance between long-term strategic partnerships and responsive vendor engagement, emphasizing performance reliability and technical adaptability in dynamic operational environments. His procurement strategy prioritizes broad competition, with 70% of awards issued under open, non-set-aside conditions, while maintaining a robust 30% commitment to Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5. This reflects a deliberate effort to foster innovation and capacity-building among small businesses without compromising mission-critical performance standards. He does not routinely favor specific socioeconomic categories like 8(a) or HUBZone, instead focusing on capability-driven selection aligned with technical requirements. Barnes’ primary NAICS focus includes electrical contracting and wiring installation (238210), security systems services (561621), and electronic computer manufacturing (334111), indicating deep engagement with physical and digital infrastructure modernization. He routinely procures hardened communication systems, secure surveillance platforms, and mission-critical computing hardware, demonstrating expertise in integrating commercial-off-the-shelf technologies into classified and unclassified air operations environments.