Kathy L. Hammer-Wells

Kathy L. Hammer-Wells serves as Procurement Branch Chief, overseeing the strategic planning and execution of complex aerospace procurement initiatives. In this leadership role, she ensures compliance with federal acquisition regulations while advancing mission-critical acquisition goals for aircraft-related systems. Her portfolio primarily encompasses the acquisition of specialized aircraft components, auxiliary equipment, and integrated aerospace systems, requiring deep technical knowledge of aviation manufacturing standards and supply chain logistics. She directs contract strategizing, source selection, and post-award management for high-stakes procurements that support national defense and aviation infrastructure. While specific contractor names are not available, her procurement patterns indicate a strong reliance on a network of certified small businesses and specialized manufacturers within the aerospace sector. She fosters collaborative relationships with vendors capable of meeting stringent performance, quality, and delivery requirements under FAR Part 12 and Part 15 contracting frameworks. Her team prioritizes transparent competition and vendor engagement, cultivating long-term partnerships with firms possessing the technical expertise to deliver advanced aviation components under tight regulatory and operational constraints. Hammer-Wells demonstrates a pronounced commitment to small business participation, with over 43% of her acquisitions designated as total small business set-asides under FAR 19.5. An additional 6.7% are reserved for service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses, and 4.7% for HUBZone firms, reflecting a deliberate effort to broaden socioeconomic opportunity within the aerospace supply chain. Her office consistently leverages set-aside authorities to promote equitable access, ensuring small businesses compete meaningfully for high-value technical contracts. Her procurement focus is overwhelmingly concentrated in NAICS 336413—Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing—indicating deep specialization in non-engine aircraft components such as avionics housings, landing gear subsystems, and flight control actuators. A smaller portion of activity supports aircraft manufacturing (336411) and engine parts production (336412), underscoring her technical expertise in the broader aerospace manufacturing ecosystem.