Emily Blevins

Emily Blevins serves as a key procurement lead within the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Propulsion Directorate, supporting mission-critical research and development in aerospace propulsion, hypersonics, and advanced materials. She manages complex acquisition strategies for high-performance engineering systems, focusing on fundamental and applied R&D contracts that accelerate the transition of cutting-edge technologies from lab to field. Her portfolio centers on technical solutions that enhance air and space dominance, including adaptive flight control systems, thermal protection materials, and next-generation propulsion architectures. Blevins ensures alignment between scientific innovation and defense acquisition timelines, bridging technical requirements with contractual execution to meet urgent operational needs. She maintains longstanding relationships with industry leaders including UES INC, General Electric Company, DCS Corporation, Spirit Aerosystems Inc, and Advanced Thermoplastic Composites LLC, partnering with organizations possessing deep expertise in propulsion systems, composite manufacturing, and systems integration. These vendors are selected for their proven capabilities in high-risk, high-reward R&D environments and their capacity to deliver scalable, mission-ready prototypes under stringent technical and schedule constraints. Blevins fosters collaborative contracting models that encourage innovation, including cost-sharing arrangements and phased development contracts to mitigate technical risk. Blevins’ procurement activity is entirely unrestricted, with 100% of awards issued under open competition without set-asides for 8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB, or other socioeconomic categories. This reflects the highly specialized nature of the work, which demands advanced technical infrastructure and subject-matter expertise rarely available within small business ecosystems. While small business participation is not formally prioritized, the agency maintains compliance with all federal acquisition regulations and encourages subcontracting opportunities where technically viable. Her primary focus lies in NAICS 541715—Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences—where she procures advanced materials, computational fluid dynamics modeling, propulsion system testing, and hypersonic vehicle integration services. Her expertise spans thermodynamic systems, ceramic matrix composites, and high-temperature material characterization, ensuring the Air Force maintains technological superiority in next-generation aerospace propulsion.