Katie L. Cope

Katie L. Cope serves as a primary contracting professional within the Air Force Research Laboratory’s FA8750 organization, where she plays a central role in advancing critical research and development initiatives for next-generation aerospace and defense systems. Her responsibilities encompass the full lifecycle management of scientific and engineering acquisitions, with a focus on enabling autonomous systems, resilient communications, AI-driven battle-space awareness, and quantum-enabled technologies. She interfaces directly with federal laboratories, defense contractors, and academic partners to secure innovative solutions that align with the Department of the Air Force’s strategic R&D priorities, ensuring technical rigor and mission alignment in all procurement actions. Cope maintains consistent working relationships with leading defense and technology contractors, including Booz Allen Hamilton, Lockheed Martin, Eaton Corporation, Technergetics, and Caelight, Inc. These partnerships reflect a preference for established industry leaders with proven expertise in physical sciences, systems engineering, and advanced computing services. Her procurement approach emphasizes performance-based outcomes and technical innovation, often requiring complex, multi-year task orders under Indefinite-Delivery, Indefinite-Quantity (IDIQ) mechanisms to support long-term R&D objectives. Cope’s contracting portfolio exhibits no set-aside preferences, with 100% of awards issued under full and open competition. This reflects a mission-driven emphasis on technical capability over socioeconomic categorization, prioritizing the most qualified entities regardless of business size or certification status. While small business participation is not formally incentivized, her awards occasionally include small firms when they demonstrate unique technical superiority or niche expertise. Her primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 541715—Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences—accounting for nearly 89% of her activity, with additional support for computer systems design services under NAICS 541512. She routinely acquires advanced R&D services in free-space optical communications, machine learning for sensor fusion, and quantum sensing architectures, reflecting deep technical expertise in aerospace science and next-generation defense innovation.