Eric Charest

Captain Eric Charest serves as a key contracting leader within the FA8823 Sustainment MCPNT SSC/PKL, a critical unit under the Department of the Air Force responsible for sustaining and modernizing aerospace and space-based defense systems. In his capacity as Captain, he oversees the acquisition of advanced research and development services essential to maintaining operational readiness of guided missile systems, satellite communications networks, and global positioning infrastructure. His procurement portfolio centers on technical innovation in physical and engineering sciences, ensuring that cutting-edge capabilities are delivered to support national security objectives across space and air domains. Captain Charest collaborates with a broad spectrum of defense contractors specializing in systems engineering, signal processing, and space vehicle sustainment. While no single vendor dominates his contract portfolio, he consistently engages with prime contractors possessing deep expertise in aerospace systems integration, radar and navigation technology, and secure command and control architectures. His working relationships emphasize technical proficiency, performance-based contracting, and lifecycle support, fostering partnerships with firms capable of delivering complex, high-reliability solutions under stringent DoD compliance standards. Captain Charest’s contracting activity reflects a strong preference for open competition, with 100% of his acquisitions designated as non-set-aside. This approach prioritizes technical merit and mission-critical capability over socioeconomic classifications, aligning with the high-stakes, time-sensitive nature of aerospace sustainment requirements. While small business participation is not formally incentivized in his portfolio, he remains open to qualified small businesses that demonstrate proven technical capability in advanced engineering domains. His primary focus is on NAICS 541712—Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences—where he procures advanced engineering services for satellite payload modernization, secure waveform development, and space-based sensor integration. His technical expertise lies at the intersection of systems engineering, space architecture, and mission-critical sustainment, ensuring that next-generation defense capabilities remain resilient and operationally viable.