Heather L. Ledford

Heather L. Ledford serves as a Contract Specialist responsible for managing the acquisition lifecycle for complex aerospace and aviation systems, ensuring compliance with federal procurement regulations and mission-critical delivery timelines. She plays a pivotal role in executing competitive solicitations, evaluating technical proposals, and negotiating contract terms to support national defense and aviation infrastructure requirements. Her portfolio primarily encompasses the procurement of aircraft components, avionics systems, and auxiliary equipment, requiring deep familiarity with FAR Part 12 and Part 15 acquisition procedures, as well as technical specifications outlined in military and industry standards. Ledford maintains collaborative relationships with a diverse range of contractors, including prime manufacturers and specialized suppliers in the aerospace sector. While no single vendor dominates her award portfolio, she consistently engages with firms possessing relevant AS9100 certifications and capable of meeting stringent quality assurance and supply chain traceability requirements. Her contracting approach emphasizes fair competition, performance-based outcomes, and vendor accountability throughout contract execution. A strong advocate for small business participation, Ledford prioritizes Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5, allocating 44.4% of her acquisitions to small businesses, reflecting a deliberate commitment to socioeconomic goals. Her pattern indicates minimal reliance on other set-aside categories, suggesting a strategic focus on broad-based small business eligibility rather than targeted programs like 8(a) or HUBZone, aligning with agency-wide objectives to expand the small business industrial base. Her procurement expertise centers on NAICS 336413—Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing—reflecting a specialized focus on subsystems such as landing gear components, flight control actuators, and non-structural airframe elements. She also handles acquisitions under NAICS 336411 for complete aircraft manufacturing, demonstrating technical fluency in aerospace engineering standards and certification processes. Ledford’s work supports the development and sustainment of both military and civil aviation platforms, requiring precision in sourcing mission-critical components with rigorous compliance and reliability benchmarks.