Kevin J Cochran

Kevin J. Cochran serves as a key procurement lead within the FA9101 AEDC PKP Procurement Branch of the Department of the Air Force, supporting the Arnold Engineering Development Complex’s mission to sustain and modernize cutting-edge aerospace and hypersonic test infrastructure. He manages a diverse portfolio of acquisitions focused on high-fidelity test systems, including wind tunnel instrumentation, propulsion test rigs, and automated data acquisition platforms. His work ensures the operational readiness and technological advancement of critical national defense test facilities, requiring deep technical understanding of aerospace engineering systems and complex maintenance contracts. Cochran maintains strong, ongoing relationships with specialized contractors including Jacobs Technology Inc., Cubrc, Inc., and Rotating Machinery Services Inc., who provide engineering services, maintenance, and system integration for extreme-environment test assets. He also regularly engages Thoma-Sea Marine Constructors and Aerospace & Commercial Technologies, LLC for facility support and precision instrumentation. These partnerships reflect a preference for vendors with proven expertise in aerospace test environments, emphasizing long-term reliability, technical compliance, and mission-critical performance over commoditized solutions. His contracting approach prioritizes open competition, with 85.7% of awards issued without set-asides, reflecting the highly specialized nature of the work. However, he consistently allocates 14.3% of opportunities to total small business set-asides under FAR 19.5, demonstrating a measured commitment to small business participation where technical capability permits. This balance ensures access to niche expertise while maintaining mission readiness. Cochran’s procurement focus centers on NAICS 811219 (Other Commercial and Industrial Machinery and Equipment Repair and Maintenance), which accounts for over half of his portfolio, alongside significant activity in 561730 (Landscaping Services) for facility grounds support and 334515 (Instrument Manufacturing for Measuring and Testing Electricity and Electrical Signals) for sensor and telemetry systems. His domain expertise lies in procuring mission-critical test equipment, maintenance services, and environmental simulation systems essential to hypersonic and aerospace research.