Justin Furney

Justin Furney serves as a key procurement lead within the Air Force Research Laboratory’s FA8750 organization, overseeing the acquisition of advanced research and development services critical to next-generation aerospace and defense systems. He manages complex, high-priority contracts focused on foundational scientific innovation in physical, engineering, and life sciences, with an emphasis on autonomous systems, resilient communications, AI-enabled battle-space awareness, and quantum-enabled technologies. His role ensures alignment between cutting-edge R&D objectives and federal contracting protocols, facilitating the rapid transition of laboratory breakthroughs into operational capabilities through agile, performance-based acquisition strategies. Furney maintains sustained working relationships with industry leaders including Booz Allen Hamilton, Lockheed Martin, Eaton Corporation, Technergetics, and Caelight, Inc., partnering primarily with firms possessing deep expertise in classified and unclassified R&D environments. His procurement approach emphasizes technical proficiency, past performance in defense science programs, and the ability to operate under stringent security and compliance frameworks. These contractors are selected not only for their technical capacity but also for their capacity to deliver on long-term, mission-critical research milestones under fixed-price and cost-reimbursement contract types. Furney’s contracting portfolio reflects a strict focus on open competition, with 100% of awards issued under no set-aside conditions. While small business participation is not mandated through socioeconomic programs, his team actively encourages collaboration with capable small firms through subcontracting and teaming arrangements, ensuring access to specialized innovation without compromising mission urgency or technical rigor. His primary procurement activity centers on NAICS 541715—Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences—where he acquires advanced engineering services, prototype development, systems integration, and experimental testing for aerospace and defense applications. His domain expertise spans free-space optical communications, adaptive signal processing, autonomous autonomy architectures, and quantum sensing, making him a critical conduit between scientific innovation and operational deployment.