Don Ballesteros

Don Ballesteros serves as a Contract Specialist within the FA2823 AFTC PZIO under the Department of the Air Force, where he manages the acquisition of critical test and evaluation infrastructure for airborne and ground-based sensing, communications, and avionics systems. His role centers on executing full lifecycle procurement actions for high-precision instrumentation, electromagnetic compatibility systems, and mission-critical test platforms that support aerospace readiness. Ballesteros specializes in complex technical acquisitions requiring stringent compliance with military standards, often coordinating with engineering and program offices to align contracting strategies with operational requirements. He maintains established relationships with key contractors including TOM HAMMONDS ENTERPRISES, LLC, STREET LEGAL INDUSTRIES, INC, SPEEGLE CONSTRUCTION, INC, DETECT INC, and THE CONTROLS COMPANY, LLC, primarily engaging firms with proven expertise in specialized construction, electronic systems integration, and test equipment fabrication. His procurement approach emphasizes reliability, technical precision, and timely delivery, fostering long-term vendor partnerships grounded in performance history and regulatory compliance. Ballesteros predominantly executes acquisitions under no set-aside conditions, reflecting the technical complexity and specialized nature of the requirements, yet maintains a consistent 20% allocation to Total Small Business Set-Asides in accordance with FAR 19.5. This demonstrates a deliberate balance between mission-critical needs and meaningful small business participation, with awards often directed toward firms capable of delivering niche technical solutions under standard commercial terms. His primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 238220 (Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors), supporting environmental control systems for test facilities, followed by NAICS 237310 (Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction) for range infrastructure and NAICS 334290 (Other Communications Equipment Manufacturing) for signal intelligence and data acquisition hardware. This reflects deep technical expertise in procuring integrated systems that enable electromagnetic testing, radar calibration, and electronic warfare evaluation across Air Force test ranges.