Florence A. Taplin

Florence A. Taplin serves as a Contract Specialist within the FA3016 502 Cons Cl under the Department of the Air Force, where she plays a pivotal role in executing mission-critical acquisitions that sustain Air Force installation readiness. She manages a diverse portfolio of service-based contracts spanning facility maintenance, medical support, technical training, and environmental services, ensuring compliance with FAR and DFARS regulations. Her work directly supports the agency’s strategic priorities in modernizing infrastructure, enhancing operational safety, and maintaining technologically advanced environments for personnel and equipment. Taplin maintains consistent working relationships with a core group of contractors including PERRY MANAGEMENT CORP OF SOUTH DAKOTA, L.L.C, WILLIAM T BROOKS & ASSOCIATES INC, CITADEL FEDERAL SOLUTIONS LLC, NEXLEGACY LLC, and AJ COMMERCIAL SERVICES, INC. These partnerships reflect a preference for experienced service providers capable of delivering specialized maintenance, logistics, and technical support across complex Air Force installations. Her contracting approach emphasizes performance-based outcomes, clear statement of work development, and long-term vendor reliability over transactional engagements. While the majority of her acquisitions are open to full and open competition (64.3%), Taplin demonstrates a deliberate commitment to socioeconomic programs, regularly incorporating Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business, 8(a), HUBZone, and Total Small Business Set-Asides into her procurement strategy. Her balanced use of set-asides aligns with Department of Defense goals to foster diverse supplier participation while maintaining mission effectiveness. Her procurement focus centers on NAICS codes related to flight training (611512), other technical and trade schools (611519), ambulance services (621910), and research and development in physical sciences (541712), reflecting expertise in education, emergency response, and technical innovation. She frequently procures training programs, facility operations support, and specialized scientific services critical to Air Force workforce development and infrastructure resilience.