Kelly A. Higgins

Kelly A. Higgins serves as a Contract Specialist within the FA8750 AFRl Rik organization under the Department of the Air Force, where she plays a pivotal role in executing complex R&D acquisitions to advance next-generation aerospace and defense technologies. Her portfolio centers on high-priority scientific and engineering initiatives, including autonomous systems, resilient communications, AI-enabled battle-space awareness, and quantum-enabled sensing. Higgins manages the full lifecycle of contract actions—from solicitation through award and administration—ensuring alignment with mission-critical technical requirements and federal acquisition regulations. She specializes in procuring advanced electronics, custom software, and specialized instrumentation critical to air force innovation programs. Higgins maintains strategic relationships with leading defense and technology contractors, including Booz Allen Hamilton, Lockheed Martin, Eaton Corporation, Technergetics, LLC, and Caelight, Inc. These partnerships reflect a blend of large prime contractors delivering integrated systems and specialized small businesses providing niche components and tailored engineering services. Her procurement approach emphasizes collaborative engagement with vendors possessing deep domain expertise in aerospace-grade hardware, signal processing, and secure communications architectures, ensuring technical fidelity and timely delivery of mission-critical capabilities. A strong advocate for small business participation, Higgins consistently prioritizes Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5, with over half of her awards designated for small businesses. She also actively supports Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) set-asides, reflecting a deliberate commitment to socioeconomic contracting goals. Her patterns demonstrate a balanced strategy that leverages small business agility while integrating large prime capabilities for scalable, mission-ready solutions. Her primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 334111 (Electronic Computer Manufacturing) and 334511 (Aeronautical System and Instrument Manufacturing), with significant activity in Custom Computer Programming Services (541511) and Other Electronic Component Manufacturing (334419). Higgins routinely procures embedded systems, flight-certified electronics, AI/ML software tools, optical communication components, and specialized test instrumentation—directly supporting the Air Force’s push toward autonomous, sensor-rich, and quantum-enhanced operational platforms.