Jennifer B. Jaramillo

Jennifer Jaramillo serves as a Contract Specialist within the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Rocket Propulsion Division (FA9453), where she plays a pivotal role in advancing the Department of the Air Force’s mission to develop next-generation space and aerospace technologies. She manages the full lifecycle of complex research and development acquisitions, specializing in high-performance instrumentation, resilient computing architectures, and space domain awareness systems. Her work directly supports rapid prototyping initiatives and foundational innovation in space systems, ensuring timely delivery of mission-critical capabilities through compliant, risk-managed contracting practices. Jaramillo collaborates with a diverse ecosystem of defense contractors, research institutions, and technology innovators focused on aerospace engineering and advanced propulsion systems. While no single contractor dominates her portfolio, she consistently engages with firms possessing deep expertise in space-based sensors, autonomous systems, and high-fidelity simulation tools. Her procurement approach emphasizes technical rigor, performance-based outcomes, and agile contract structures such as Other Transaction Authorities (OTAs) and Indefinite-Delivery, Indefinite-Quantity (IDIQ) vehicles to accelerate innovation cycles. Jaramillo’s contracting patterns reflect a strong preference for open competition, with 100% of her acquisitions designated as non-set-aside. This indicates a strategic focus on technical merit and capability over socioeconomic classifications, prioritizing the most qualified offerors regardless of business size or certification status. While small business participation is not formally incentivized in her portfolio, she remains compliant with all federal procurement regulations and supports socioeconomic goals through fair and transparent evaluation processes. Her primary procurement focus lies within NAICS 541712—Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)—reflecting her deep specialization in cutting-edge aerospace R&D. She procures advanced propulsion components, space-qualified electronics, data fusion algorithms, and experimental testbed systems, working closely with engineers and scientists to translate technical requirements into executable contract vehicles that meet the rigorous demands of space operations.