Jane A. Stroder

Jane A. Stroder serves as a Contracting Officer within the Air Force Research Laboratory’s RDK division (FA9451), where she manages the acquisition of advanced research and development services critical to national aerospace security. Her portfolio centers on high-priority R&D initiatives in directed energy, electro-optics, laser systems, and advanced instrumentation, ensuring the timely delivery of cutting-edge technologies that enhance air dominance. She executes complex sole-source and competitive procurements under FAR and DFARS guidelines, often navigating classified and sensitive technical requirements to support mission-critical programs for the Department of the Air Force. Stroder collaborates with a diverse array of defense contractors, including Tier 1 aerospace and defense primes, specialized R&D firms, and university-affiliated research centers. Her contracting patterns reflect a preference for technically sophisticated vendors with proven expertise in physical and engineering sciences, particularly those capable of delivering prototype systems and experimental hardware under tight developmental timelines. She maintains collaborative, performance-driven relationships with contractors, emphasizing innovation, technical rigor, and rapid iteration in support of rapid prototyping and field validation efforts. Stroder’s procurement strategy reflects a strong orientation toward open competition, with 100% of her acquisitions conducted without set-aside designations. While she does not routinely prioritize 8(a), HUBZone, or SDVOSB programs, her approach ensures full and open competition to attract the most technically qualified entities, aligning with the RDK division’s mission to secure world-class scientific capabilities without socioeconomic constraints. Her primary focus is on NAICS 541712—Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences—where she procures services ranging from laser vulnerability analysis and optical sensor development to advanced materials testing and high-energy system integration. She specializes in acquisitions requiring deep domain expertise in photonics, plasma physics, and electro-optical instrumentation, ensuring the Air Force maintains technological superiority through scientifically rigorous, mission-tailored R&D contracts.