Jill Wodocheck

Jill Wodocheck serves as a Contracting Officer within the Air Force Research Laboratory’s RDK division (FA9451), responsible for managing the acquisition of advanced research and development services critical to national aerospace security. She plays a pivotal role in translating the division’s technical priorities into executable contracts, focusing on high-risk, high-reward R&D initiatives in directed energy, electro-optics, laser systems, and advanced instrumentation. Her acquisitions are primarily research-focused, supporting the development of next-generation capabilities that enhance air dominance through scientific innovation and engineering breakthroughs. She navigates complex technical requirements and ensures compliance with federal acquisition regulations while fostering collaboration between government scientists and industry partners. Jill works closely with a diverse ecosystem of research institutions, defense contractors, and specialized engineering firms that possess deep expertise in physical and engineering sciences. While no single contractor dominates her portfolio, she consistently engages vendors with proven capabilities in laser vulnerability analysis, optical system design, and high-energy physics instrumentation. Her contracting approach emphasizes technical merit, innovation, and agile performance, often utilizing Indefinite-Delivery, Indefinite-Quantity (IDIQ) and Other Transaction Authority (OTA) mechanisms to accelerate technology transition from lab to field. Jill maintains a 100% small business set-aside preference under FAR 19.5, reflecting a strong institutional commitment to socioeconomic diversity in defense R&D. She actively prioritizes awarding contracts to small businesses, including those certified as 8(a), HUBZone, and SDVOSB, ensuring that emerging innovators have equitable access to high-impact government projects. Her procurement patterns demonstrate a deliberate strategy to cultivate a robust pipeline of small business talent capable of meeting the Air Force’s evolving technical demands. Her primary NAICS focus is 541712—Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences—where she procures specialized services in laser physics, electro-optical sensor development, beam control systems, and advanced diagnostics. She routinely supports projects requiring expertise in nonlinear optics, thermal management of high-power systems, and real-time data acquisition for directed energy applications, making her a key enabler of the Air Force’s technological edge in next-generation aerospace systems.