John W. Long

John W. Long serves as Team Lead – Engines, overseeing the acquisition of critical aircraft propulsion systems and related engine components for national defense and aviation readiness programs. In this leadership role, he directs the planning, solicitation, and award of complex technical contracts, ensuring alignment with federal acquisition regulations and mission-critical performance standards. His portfolio centers on the design, development, testing, and sustainment of advanced turbine engines and precision engine parts, requiring deep technical oversight and rigorous risk management. Long plays a pivotal role in translating operational requirements into enforceable contract deliverables, coordinating with engineering, logistics, and program management teams to maintain supply chain resilience and technological superiority. While specific contractor names are not disclosed, Long consistently engages with a network of specialized manufacturers and Tier 1 aerospace suppliers capable of meeting stringent military and aviation certification standards. His procurement approach emphasizes long-term vendor partnerships built on technical competency, quality assurance, and compliance with defense industrial base requirements. He fosters collaborative relationships with firms possessing the engineering depth and production capacity to support lifecycle sustainment, including overhaul, modification, and technology insertion initiatives. Long demonstrates an unwavering commitment to small business participation, directing 100% of his acquisitions toward total small business set-asides under FAR 19.5. This policy ensures that small, innovative manufacturers—particularly those with niche capabilities in precision machining, composite materials, and propulsion systems—are given equitable access to high-value defense contracts. His contracting patterns reflect a deliberate strategy to cultivate a robust small business industrial base within the aerospace propulsion sector. His primary focus is on NAICS 336412, Aircraft Engine and Engine Parts Manufacturing, encompassing the procurement of gas turbine engines, fuel control systems, bearings, blades, and other mission-critical subcomponents. Long possesses specialized expertise in turbine technology, thermal management systems, and military engine certification standards, ensuring acquisitions meet the performance, durability, and safety demands of aviation and defense platforms.