Joseph Spear

Joseph Spear supports the Kessel Run organization within the Department of the Air Force, playing a critical role in accelerating the procurement of mission-critical software and digital systems for air and space operations. He manages acquisitions aligned with DevSecOps principles, cloud-native architectures, and secure, scalable platforms essential to modernizing combat command and control. His work directly enables rapid fielding of capabilities such as the Aerospace Readiness Enterprise System (ARES), focusing on agile contracting methods that reduce cycle times while maintaining rigorous cybersecurity standards. Spear routinely handles complex IT modernization contracts, software development services, and digital infrastructure procurement under FAR and DFARS frameworks. He maintains a primary working relationship with THE BOEING COMPANY, partnering on large-scale integration efforts for aerospace digital systems. His procurement approach emphasizes collaboration with prime contractors who can deliver end-to-end solutions, often leveraging subcontracting pathways to integrate specialized small business capabilities. Spear’s contracting patterns reflect a strategic balance between enterprise-scale vendors and agile tech providers, ensuring both scalability and innovation in software delivery pipelines. Spear consistently applies a balanced set-aside strategy, with equal portions of acquisitions reserved for Total Small Business, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB), and open competition. This reflects a deliberate commitment to fostering a diverse supplier base while maintaining mission readiness. His contracting decisions align with FAR 19.5 guidelines, actively promoting socioeconomic inclusion without compromising technical performance or schedule demands. His procurement focus is heavily concentrated in NAICS 561612 (Security Guards and Patrol Services), indicating a strong emphasis on physical and cyber-physical security operations supporting digital infrastructure. He also procures industrial machinery and equipment through NAICS 423830, suggesting integration of hardened hardware platforms with software systems. His domain expertise spans secure software development, mission-critical system integration, and the operationalization of cloud-based platforms for aerospace command and control environments.