James Rathjen

James Rathjen serves as a key procurement lead within the 774th Engineering and Support Squadron (FA8075), supporting the Department of the Air Force’s mission to advance defense science and technical analysis for air and space force readiness. He manages complex acquisitions focused on high-fidelity modeling, simulation, and analysis capabilities—particularly in live, virtual, and constructive (LVC) training environments, ballistic missile defense systems, and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) technologies. His role centers on ensuring timely delivery of mission-critical technical services that enhance operational exercise support and weapons system development through rigorous systems engineering and analytical validation. Rathjen maintains consistent working relationships with a core group of defense technology contractors, including KIHOMAC INC, TORCH TECHNOLOGIES INC, MODERN TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC., DELTA RESOURCES, INC., and AMERICAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION. These partnerships are characterized by long-term, performance-based contract vehicles that support specialized engineering, systems integration, and analytical services. His procurement approach emphasizes technical proficiency, past performance, and proven capability in delivering advanced defense analytics under tight operational timelines. Rathjen’s contracting portfolio reflects a 100% non-set-aside strategy, indicating a focus on full and open competition rather than socioeconomic set-asides. This pattern suggests a priority on technical merit and mission-critical delivery over socioeconomic targeting, aligning with the squadron’s need for specialized, high-capability vendors with deep domain expertise. His primary procurement activity is concentrated under NAICS 337214—Office Furniture (except Wood) Manufacturing—which appears to be a misclassification or placeholder in the system. In practice, his actual technical focus lies in defense analytics, LVC systems, and weapons simulation infrastructure, indicating a likely administrative or data reporting anomaly. The true scope of his work demands advanced engineering services, not physical furniture procurement, underscoring the need for accurate NAICS alignment to reflect his actual domain expertise in defense science and technical analysis.