Kenneth R. Hampsten

Kenneth R. Hampsten serves as Program Manager for the FA8823 Sustainment MCPNT SSC/PKL under the Department of the Air Force, where he leads the acquisition and sustainment of critical aerospace and space-based systems essential to national defense. His responsibilities include managing the full lifecycle procurement of guided missile systems, satellite communications platforms, and global positioning infrastructure, ensuring operational readiness through technical oversight, contract execution, and performance monitoring. Hampsten’s portfolio centers on complex engineering and systems integration efforts that support the Air Force’s strategic modernization goals, with a focus on long-term sustainment rather than new development. His contractor relationships are primarily with prime contractors possessing deep expertise in defense aerospace systems, including firms experienced in space vehicle sustainment, RF communications, and navigation technology integration. While no specific vendor patterns are currently dominant, his procurement approach favors established defense contractors with proven track records in classified and high-reliability environments, often requiring ITAR compliance, NIST cybersecurity controls, and DoD supply chain assurance. Hampsten’s contracting activity shows a 100% preference for non-set-aside acquisitions, indicating a focus on technical capability and mission-critical performance over socioeconomic preferences. This reflects the specialized nature of the systems he manages, where availability of advanced engineering talent and secure manufacturing capabilities outweighs small business set-aside criteria in current procurement decisions. His primary procurement focus is under NAICS 541712—Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences—reflecting his emphasis on advanced engineering services, systems analysis, prototype sustainment, and technical refresh initiatives. He routinely procures services related to radar signal processing, satellite bus modernization, command and control software upgrades, and embedded systems engineering, requiring deep domain expertise in space and missile systems architecture.