J Denise Darlington

Denise Darlington serves as a Contract Specialist within the FA8672 AFLCMC EBDM, a critical unit under the Department of the Air Force responsible for the development, sustainment, and production of precision-guided munitions and advanced weapon system technologies. In this role, she manages the full lifecycle of acquisition programs centered on Small Diameter Bomb (SDB) modernization, guidance system integration, and ordnance logistics support. Her procurement activities span complex engineering, manufacturing, and technical services contracts essential to maintaining air dominance and battlefield superiority. She ensures compliance with federal acquisition regulations while aligning contract execution with strategic modernization goals for next-generation munitions. Denise collaborates with a diverse ecosystem of defense contractors specializing in aerospace systems, electronic warfare components, and mission-critical support services. While no single contractor dominates her portfolio, she consistently engages with firms possessing expertise in aeronautical instrumentation, guidance and navigation systems, and defense logistics. Her working relationships reflect a preference for technical proficiency and proven performance in high-stakes ordnance environments, fostering partnerships with both established defense primes and agile niche suppliers capable of rapid prototyping and sustainment support. Denise demonstrates a strong commitment to socioeconomic contracting, with 83.3% of her acquisitions conducted under full and open competition and 16.7% structured as Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5. She actively prioritizes opportunities for small businesses capable of delivering specialized engineering and technical services, ensuring broad participation without compromising mission readiness. Her approach reflects a balanced strategy that supports national defense objectives while promoting equitable access to defense contracting opportunities. Her primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 334511, encompassing the manufacture of aeronautical navigation and guidance systems, with significant activity in engineering services (NAICS 541330) and specialized support services (NAICS 561990). She routinely acquires advanced sensor integration, warhead electronics, and maintenance logistics solutions critical to sustaining the SDB family and other precision munitions systems, demonstrating deep technical fluency in aerospace ordnance lifecycle management.