Kathy Rinard

Kathy Rinard serves as Business Manager for FA8823 Sustainment MCPNT SSC/PKL within the Department of the Air Force, where she plays a pivotal role in managing the acquisition and sustainment of critical aerospace and space-based defense systems. Her responsibilities encompass the full lifecycle procurement of guided missile systems, satellite communications platforms, and associated command, control, and navigation infrastructure. She ensures contract compliance with national defense priorities, coordinates technical requirements with engineering and logistics teams, and oversees the execution of performance-based contracts to maintain operational readiness of high-priority space and missile assets. Kathy collaborates with a select group of prime contractors specializing in advanced defense aerospace manufacturing, particularly those with deep expertise in guided missile integration, space vehicle sustainment, and secure communications systems. Her working relationships are characterized by long-term, performance-driven partnerships with industry leaders capable of meeting stringent military specifications and rapid response requirements. She prioritizes contractors with proven track records in delivering mission-critical hardware under complex technical and schedule constraints. Kathy’s procurement portfolio reflects a strict focus on open competition, with 100% of her acquisitions conducted without set-aside designations. While she does not currently utilize 8(a), HUBZone, or SDVOSB set-asides, her approach emphasizes technical capability and mission readiness over socioeconomic preferences, ensuring that contracts are awarded based on system performance, reliability, and industrial base sustainability. Her primary industry focus is centered on NAICS 336414—Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing—where she procures high-reliability avionics, propulsion systems, guidance controls, and space-based payload modules. Her technical domain expertise spans missile sustainment, satellite constellation maintenance, and secure space communications infrastructure, making her a key liaison between operational warfighters and defense industrial partners delivering cutting-edge aerospace capabilities.