Domonique Chapa, Program Manager

Domonique Chapa serves as Program Manager within the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Propulsion Directorate (FA8650), where she leads the strategic planning and execution of advanced propulsion and hypersonics research acquisitions. Responsible for aligning contracting efforts with the agency’s mission to sustain U.S. air and space dominance, Chapa oversees the procurement of high-risk, high-reward R&D contracts focused on next-generation propulsion systems, adaptive flight control technologies, and mission-critical materials. Her work bridges technical innovation with acquisition compliance, ensuring that cutting-edge scientific advancements are rapidly transitioned from laboratory prototypes to operational capabilities through agile, performance-based contracting methods. Chapa maintains sustained 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 are characterized by long-term, mission-critical collaboration on complex technical programs requiring deep domain expertise in propulsion physics, materials science, and high-temperature system integration. Her procurement approach emphasizes technical merit, innovation capacity, and proven systems integration experience, often resulting in multi-year, cost-reimbursable contracts structured to mitigate technical risk while accelerating development cycles. Chapa’s portfolio reflects a strict focus on open competition, with 100% of awards issued under no set-aside preferences. This underscores a procurement philosophy prioritizing technical capability and mission readiness over socioeconomic classifications, ensuring access to the most qualified industry partners capable of delivering mission-critical propulsion technologies under demanding operational timelines. Her primary procurement activity centers on NAICS 541715—Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences—where she procures advanced propulsion components, hypersonic test hardware, high-temperature composites, and computational modeling services. Her technical expertise spans gas dynamics, turbine systems, thermal protection materials, and propulsion control algorithms, positioning her at the forefront of DoD’s investment in next-generation air and space propulsion systems.