Horace L Bates

Horace L. Bates serves as a Contracting Officer for FA4855, 27th Space Communications Squadron under the Department of the Air Force, where he manages the acquisition of mission-critical infrastructure and support services essential to air base operational readiness. His portfolio encompasses construction, facility modernization, and technical support services aligned with the Air Force’s strategic imperatives to sustain and modernize base infrastructure. Bates is responsible for executing full lifecycle contracting actions—from market research and solicitation development to award and contract administration—ensuring compliance with FAR, DFARS, and Air Force-specific acquisition policies. He routinely handles complex, multi-year contracts for building systems, secure communications infrastructure, and facilities support services that directly enable mission continuity and resilience. Bates maintains a consistent working relationship with ALTUS TECHNICAL SOLUTIONS LLC, a primary contractor delivering integrated facility and technical support services. His procurement patterns reflect a preference for established industry partners with proven capabilities in defense-related construction and base operations support, while also fostering competitive environments to ensure value and performance. He engages vendors through negotiated procurements under FAR Part 15, often utilizing indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) vehicles to meet dynamic operational requirements. While the majority of his acquisitions are conducted as unrestricted competitions (66.7%), Bates demonstrates a deliberate commitment to socioeconomic programs, regularly awarding contracts through HUBZone and 8(a) set-asides, each accounting for 11.1% of his portfolio. This balanced approach ensures broad small business participation without compromising mission-critical delivery timelines or technical standards. His primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 236220 (Commercial and Institutional Building Construction), 561210 (Facilities Support Services), and 561990 (All Other Support Services), reflecting deep expertise in constructing and maintaining air base facilities, including HVAC, wastewater systems, and secure communications infrastructure. He specializes in procuring integrated building systems and mission-enabling support services that align with Air Force sustainability and readiness goals.