Derrick Manning

Derrick Manning serves as a Contract Specialist within the FA8102 Aflcmc Wi under the Department of the Air Force, where he plays a pivotal role in executing mission-critical acquisitions for airborne and ground-based sensor systems, secure communications, and advanced avionics. His responsibilities encompass the full lifecycle of contract management—from requirements definition and solicitation to award and performance oversight—ensuring alignment with the agency’s strategic goals in air dominance and integrated defense. Manning specializes in complex, technology-driven procurements involving real-time data fusion, electronic warfare readiness, and resilient command and control architectures, often supporting both manned and unmanned platforms. He maintains a consistent working relationship with BETTER DIRECT, LLC, a primary contractor delivering custom software solutions and computing infrastructure services critical to the agency’s operational systems. His procurement patterns reflect a preference for established technical partners with proven expertise in mission-critical environments, fostering long-term vendor collaboration grounded in compliance, performance accountability, and agile delivery methodologies. Manning’s contracting activity is entirely focused on open competition, with 100% of his awards issued under no set-aside categories, indicating a prioritization of technical capability and mission need over socioeconomic preferences. While small business participation is not formally targeted in his portfolio, his approach remains compliant with all federal acquisition regulations and emphasizes value-driven outcomes over categorical set-asides. His primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 541511 (Custom Computer Programming Services) and 518210 (Computing Infrastructure Providers), reflecting deep expertise in software development for tactical systems, data processing pipelines, and secure cloud-based hosting environments. He regularly procures enterprise-grade solutions for signal processing, sensor integration, and cyber-resilient communications, demonstrating a strong command of the technical domains underpinning modern air force operations.