James E. Hayes

James Hayes serves as a Contract Specialist within the FA7000 10 Cons Lgc unit of the Department of the Air Force, where he plays a pivotal role in acquiring precision instrumentation, laboratory equipment, and specialized technical systems essential to aerospace research and cadet training at the U.S. Air Force Academy. His responsibilities encompass the full lifecycle of procurement—from requirements validation and market research to contract award and administration—ensuring alignment with federal acquisition regulations and the agency’s mission to sustain cutting-edge analytical capabilities. He primarily handles complex, high-accuracy technical acquisitions supporting scientific infrastructure, facility modernization, and operational readiness initiatives. Hayes maintains consistent working relationships with a select group of specialized vendors, including SAWASAWA LLC, BERNARD CAP, LLC, TEAL DRONES INC, BRANSCOME OPERATING, LLC, and LAVISION, INC. These contractors are frequently engaged for niche technical services and high-precision equipment, reflecting a pattern of partnering with firms possessing deep domain expertise in aerospace instrumentation, drone-based data collection, and laboratory measurement systems. His contracting approach emphasizes technical capability over volume, favoring vendors with proven track records in delivering mission-critical systems under stringent performance standards. While the majority of his acquisitions are conducted under open competition, Hayes maintains a deliberate commitment to small business participation, with approximately one-third of his awards structured as Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5. He actively seeks qualified small businesses capable of meeting the technical rigor of Air Force Academy missions, though no specific socioeconomic set-asides (e.g., 8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB) dominate his portfolio. His procurement focus is concentrated in three NAICS categories—562991, 112511, and 561720—each representing support services critical to facility operations, including environmental compliance, facility maintenance, and logistical support. Despite their seemingly non-technical nature, these categories underpin the functional integrity of research and training environments, demonstrating Hayes’ holistic approach to sustaining mission-critical infrastructure through integrated, mission-aligned contracting.