Jong Hwang

Jong Hwang serves as a Contract Specialist within the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Propulsion Directorate (FA8650), where they manage the acquisition of advanced aerospace propulsion systems, hypersonic technologies, and high-performance functional materials critical to U.S. air and space dominance. Responsible for full lifecycle contract execution, Jong ensures compliance with federal acquisition regulations while aligning procurement strategies with the agency’s mission to accelerate next-generation propulsion R&D. Their portfolio primarily encompasses complex research and development contracts requiring technical rigor, performance-based outcomes, and close collaboration with engineering teams to translate scientific innovation into operational capability. Jong maintains consistent working 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 are characterized by long-term, mission-critical collaborations centered on proprietary propulsion systems, adaptive flight control architectures, and advanced composite materials. The contracting approach emphasizes technical evaluation, risk mitigation, and performance incentives, fostering trusted vendor relationships built on deep domain expertise and rigorous compliance with DoD acquisition standards. Jong’s procurement portfolio reflects a strict focus on open competition, with 100% of awards issued under no set-aside classifications. This reflects a deliberate strategy to prioritize technical excellence and industrial capacity over socioeconomic preferences, ensuring access to the most capable and experienced providers in high-stakes propulsion research. While small business participation is not formally incentivized through set-asides, all procurements remain fully compliant with FAR requirements and encourage broad market competition. The primary NAICS classification for all acquisitions is 541715—Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences—reflecting a singular focus on foundational and applied R&D in aerospace propulsion, hypersonics, and advanced materials. Jong specializes in procuring services involving computational fluid dynamics, thermodynamic modeling, materials characterization, and prototype development, supporting the agency’s mission to maintain technological superiority in air and space systems.