Kathryn Harshberger

Kathryn Harshberger serves as a Contracting Officer for the 4th Combat Communications Squadron (FA4809), under the Department of the Air Force, where she leads the acquisition of mission-critical communications systems, aircraft subsystems, and specialized security infrastructure essential to air operations readiness. Her portfolio encompasses complex procurements for secure radio networks, broadcast systems, and facility-related construction services that directly support expeditionary and contingency operations. She ensures compliance with federal acquisition regulations while aligning contracting actions with the squadron’s strategic priorities in modernizing resilient, encrypted communications architectures. Harshberger maintains consistent working relationships with a core group of contractors including Solomon Engineering, Inc., Branscome Operating, LLC, Western Metal Supply Company, Inc., X Cell Management Inc., and Textron Systems Corporation. These partnerships reflect a mix of specialized engineering firms, industrial suppliers, and systems integrators capable of delivering tailored solutions for military-grade communications and infrastructure. Her procurement approach emphasizes technical capability, past performance, and delivery reliability, often resulting in long-term vendor engagement for recurring mission support requirements. Her contracting patterns show a strong preference for open competition, with 66.7% of awards issued without set-aside designations, while 33.3% are competed under the 8(a) Business Development Program. This balance reflects a strategic emphasis on leveraging qualified small businesses without compromising operational urgency or technical rigor. She actively seeks out 8(a)-certified firms with proven expertise in defense-related services, ensuring socioeconomic goals are met without sacrificing mission effectiveness. Harshberger’s primary NAICS focus areas—236220 (Commercial and Institutional Building Construction), 541330 (Engineering Services), and 238160 (Roofing Contractors)—reveal a unique blend of facility infrastructure and technical engineering needs. She procures services ranging from structural modifications to secure facility upgrades and specialized engineering support for communications installations, demonstrating deep familiarity with the intersection of physical infrastructure and mission-critical aerospace systems.