Jo Ann Sillaman

Jo Ann Sillaman serves as a Contracting Officer within the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Propulsion Directorate (FA8650), where she leads the acquisition of advanced aerospace technologies critical to U.S. air and space dominance. Her portfolio centers on research and development contracts for next-generation propulsion systems, hypersonic flight technologies, and high-performance functional materials. She manages complex, technically demanding procurements that bridge fundamental science and operational deployment, ensuring timely delivery of mission-critical capabilities to the Department of the Air Force. Her work directly supports the AFRL’s mandate to accelerate innovation in propulsion and adaptive flight control through strategic contracting. Sillaman maintains longstanding relationships with leading aerospace and defense contractors including UES INC, General Electric Company, DCS Corporation, Spirit Aerosystems Inc, and Advanced Thermoplastic Composites LLC. These partnerships reflect a focus on tier-one industry leaders with proven expertise in propulsion systems, materials science, and systems integration. Her contracting approach emphasizes technical rigor, performance-based outcomes, and long-term collaboration with vendors capable of delivering cutting-edge solutions under stringent aerospace standards. Sillaman’s procurement activity is entirely non-set-aside, with 100% of her awards issued under full and open competition. This reflects the highly specialized nature of the technologies she acquires, which require deep technical capabilities typically found only among established, large-scale contractors with advanced engineering infrastructure and security clearances. While small business participation is not a primary mechanism in her portfolio, her approach aligns with mission-critical requirements where technical maturity and scale are non-negotiable. Her primary NAICS focus is 541712, encompassing research and development in physical, engineering, and life sciences—particularly in propulsion physics, aerothermal systems, and advanced composite materials. She consistently procures services related to computational fluid dynamics, materials characterization, propulsion system prototyping, and hypersonic vehicle testing, demonstrating deep expertise in aerospace R&D procurement and technical oversight.