Jenna Tarbania

Jenna Tarbania serves as a Contracting Officer for the Air Force Research Laboratory’s FA8750 Rik office under the Department of the Air Force, where she leads the acquisition of advanced research and development capabilities in aerospace, autonomous systems, resilient communications, and quantum-enabled technologies. Her portfolio centers on foundational scientific innovation, managing complex R&D contracts that bridge laboratory prototypes with operational defense systems. She specializes in securing cutting-edge engineering solutions through competitive, performance-based acquisitions aligned with DoD innovation directives and FAR Part 35 authorities, ensuring technical rigor and mission alignment across high-priority defense science initiatives. Tarbania maintains strategic relationships with leading defense and technology contractors including Booz Allen Hamilton, Lockheed Martin, and Eaton Corporation, alongside specialized small businesses such as Technergetics, LLC and Caelight, Inc. Her contracting approach emphasizes collaboration with both prime contractors and niche technology providers, fostering public-private partnerships that accelerate the transition of emerging technologies from R&D to fielded capability. She frequently engages vendors with deep expertise in signal processing, free-space optical communications, and AI-enabled sensor systems, ensuring acquisition strategies align with technical maturity and scalability requirements. A strong advocate for small business participation, Tarbania consistently prioritizes Total Small Business Set-Asides, with nearly 60% of her awards designated for small businesses under FAR 19.5. Her contracting patterns reflect a deliberate focus on expanding opportunities for small disadvantaged and innovative firms capable of delivering specialized hardware, software, and analytical services critical to next-generation defense systems. This commitment ensures a diverse, agile supplier base capable of meeting the unique demands of high-risk, high-reward research programs. Her primary NAICS focus areas include computer and peripheral equipment wholesaling, instrument manufacturing for electrical signal measurement, and electronic computer manufacturing—reflecting her procurement emphasis on advanced sensors, embedded computing, and communications hardware. She regularly acquires AI-driven data systems, quantum-secure components, and ruggedized electronic test instrumentation, demonstrating deep technical fluency in the domains of aerospace electronics and mission-critical signal processing.