Heidi Collins

Heidi Collins serves as a key procurement lead within the FA2291 AFLCMC C3NK, a critical unit of the Department of the Air Force focused on advancing command, control, communications, and network (C3N) capabilities for air and space operations. She manages the acquisition of advanced radio waveforms, secure communication systems, and high-performance computing infrastructure essential to maintaining resilient, interoperable, and real-time decision-making in contested electromagnetic environments. Her portfolio centers on classified and unclassified hardware and software solutions that enable tactical and strategic C3N modernization, with a strong emphasis on rapid prototyping, field-deployable systems, and next-generation waveform integration. Her primary contractor relationship is with Liberty Communications, Inc., a trusted industry partner with deep expertise in military-grade wireless communications equipment. Collins consistently engages this vendor for end-to-end system integration, including RF hardware development, secure waveform implementation, and field-tested network appliances. Her contracting approach reflects a preference for established, technically capable prime contractors with proven track records in defense communications, fostering long-term, performance-based partnerships grounded in technical rigor and mission alignment. Collins’s procurement activity shows a 100% preference for open, unrestricted competitions with no set-asides, indicating a mission-driven focus on technical superiority and rapid capability delivery over socioeconomic targeting. While small business participation is not formally prioritized in her portfolio, this reflects the specialized nature of the systems procured—requiring advanced engineering capabilities typically found in established defense contractors with DoD clearance and systems integration experience. Her acquisitions are exclusively governed by NAICS 334220, focusing on the manufacturing of radio and television broadcasting and wireless communications equipment. She procures ruggedized tactical radios, software-defined radios (SDRs), secure satellite terminals, and embedded communication modules designed for operation in high-interference, low-SNR environments. Her technical domain expertise lies in secure waveform development, spectrum agility, and interoperability with Joint All-Domain Command and Control (JADC2) architectures.