Harsh Hariyani

Harsh Haryiani serves as a key procurement professional within the Air Force Research Laboratory’s RDK division (FA9451), supporting the development and acquisition of advanced technologies critical to national air dominance. Responsible for managing research and development contracts, he facilitates the acquisition of cutting-edge capabilities in directed energy, electro-optics, laser systems, and advanced instrumentation. His role centers on translating strategic R&D objectives into actionable contracting actions that ensure the Air Force maintains technological superiority in physical and engineering sciences. He routinely handles complex, high-risk R&D procurements requiring technical rigor, performance-based specifications, and agile contract structures to support rapidly evolving scientific missions. Haryiani collaborates with a diverse ecosystem of prime contractors and research institutions specializing in defense-grade photonics, laser vulnerability analysis, and high-energy system integration. While no single vendor dominates his portfolio, he consistently engages with firms possessing deep expertise in aerospace optoelectronics, systems engineering, and classified test instrumentation. His contracting patterns reflect a preference for performance-based, cost-reimbursement, and cost-plus-fixed-fee arrangements that accommodate the iterative nature of laboratory-scale innovation and prototype development. Haryiani’s procurement activities reflect a strong emphasis on open competition, with 100% of his acquisitions classified as non-set-aside. This indicates a focus on technical merit and capability over socioeconomic preferences, aligning with the specialized nature of RDK’s mission-critical research. While small business participation is not formally incentivized through set-asides, he remains open to qualified small firms demonstrating unique technical proficiency in advanced physics and engineering domains. His primary procurement focus is squarely on NAICS 541715—Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences—where he procures advanced laser diagnostics, beam control systems, optical sensors, and experimental testbeds. His domain expertise spans laser-matter interaction, high-power optical systems, and classified instrumentation, making him a critical conduit between scientific innovation and operational acquisition in the Air Force’s next-generation aerospace portfolio.