Liz Fink

Elizabeth Fink serves as a Contract Negotiator for the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Propulsion Directorate (FA8650), where she plays a pivotal role in securing advanced aerospace technologies critical to U.S. air and space dominance. She leads the negotiation and award of complex research and engineering contracts focused on next-generation propulsion systems, hypersonics, and high-performance functional materials. Her work directly supports the agency’s mission to accelerate the transition of cutting-edge scientific innovations into operational capabilities, managing acquisitions that bridge fundamental research with mission-critical field deployment. Fink specializes in technical, performance-based contracts requiring deep engineering oversight and risk-managed procurement strategies. Fink maintains consistent, long-term relationships with industry leaders including UES INC, General Electric Company, DCS Corporation, Spirit Aerosystems Inc., and Advanced Thermoplastic Composites LLC. These partnerships reflect a preference for established defense contractors with proven expertise in propulsion systems, aerodynamic modeling, and advanced materials development. Her contracting approach emphasizes technical rigor, compliance with federal acquisition regulations, and performance accountability, fostering collaborative environments where contractors are expected to deliver innovative solutions under tight technical and schedule constraints. Fink’s procurement portfolio reflects a strong preference for full and open competition, with 100% of awards issued under no set-aside classifications. This indicates a strategic focus on accessing the broadest possible pool of technical expertise rather than prioritizing socioeconomic categories. While small business participation is not formally targeted, her engagements remain open to all qualified vendors, ensuring that technical merit and capability drive award decisions. Her primary contracting focus lies in NAICS 541330 (Engineering Services) and 541712 (Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences), underscoring her specialization in high-end technical services. She procures services related to computational fluid dynamics, materials characterization, propulsion system prototyping, and adaptive flight control R&D, requiring deep domain knowledge in aerospace engineering and advanced manufacturing processes.