Garrentt M. Baca

Garrentt M. Baca serves as a Contract Specialist at Headquarters, Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center (AFOTEC), where he plays a pivotal role in securing critical research and development services essential to the independent evaluation of Air Force weapon systems. His procurement activities support AFOTEC’s mission to validate the effectiveness, suitability, and survivability of advanced aerospace, command and control, and cyber-enabled technologies prior to operational deployment. Baca specializes in managing competitive and non-competitive acquisitions under the Federal Acquisition Regulation, with a focus on complex, high-stakes R&D contracts requiring technical rigor and operational realism. Baca collaborates with a diverse ecosystem of contractors, including defense aerospace firms, independent research organizations, and specialized engineering service providers, all of which possess the technical expertise to conduct operational test and evaluation (OT&E) under realistic combat conditions. His working relationships emphasize performance-based contracting, statement of objectives (SOOs), and outcome-driven deliverables, ensuring vendors align with AFOTEC’s mission-critical testing standards. He fosters long-term partnerships with firms capable of delivering adaptive, scalable solutions across rapidly evolving technological domains. A strong advocate for socioeconomic diversity in federal contracting, Baca consistently prioritizes small business participation, with 60% of his acquisitions structured as total small business set-asides under FAR 19.5. He actively promotes opportunities for small disadvantaged businesses, HUBZone firms, and other socioeconomically disadvantaged vendors, ensuring broad access to high-value R&D contracts while maintaining compliance with federal socioeconomic goals. His procurement portfolio is exclusively focused on NAICS 541712—Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences—reflecting deep expertise in engineering analysis, systems integration, simulation modeling, and operational test planning. Baca procures advanced technical services including live-virtual-constructive (LVC) testing, electronic warfare evaluation, autonomous system validation, and cyber resilience assessments, ensuring AFOTEC maintains its position as the Air Force’s premier independent test authority.