Kim M. Cooper

Kim M. Cooper serves as a Contract Specialist within the FA7000 10 Cons Lgc unit of the Department of the Air Force, where she plays a pivotal role in securing precision instrumentation, laboratory equipment, and specialized technical systems critical to aerospace research and cadet training at the U.S. Air Force Academy. Her acquisitions support advanced scientific readiness, facility modernization, and operational training infrastructure, with a focus on high-accuracy measuring devices, data acquisition systems, and experimental apparatuses essential for maintaining cutting-edge educational and research capabilities. She manages the full lifecycle of procurement actions, from market research and solicitation development to contract award and administration, ensuring compliance with federal acquisition regulations and mission-critical technical requirements. Cooper maintains consistent working relationships with a select group of specialized vendors, including SAWASAWA LLC, BERNARD CAP, LLC, TEAL DRONES INC, BRANSCOME OPERATING, LLC, and LAVISION, INC.—each recognized for their expertise in aerospace instrumentation, unmanned systems, and high-resolution imaging technologies. These partnerships reflect a preference for niche suppliers with proven technical capabilities in delivering custom-engineered solutions rather than commoditized goods. Her contracting approach emphasizes technical validation, performance-based requirements, and vendor responsiveness to complex operational environments. Notably, Cooper’s portfolio reflects a 100% no set-aside procurement pattern, indicating a strategic focus on open competition to ensure access to the most technically capable vendors, regardless of socioeconomic status. While small business participation is not formally prioritized through set-asides, she evaluates all offers based on technical merit and mission alignment, maintaining a neutral stance toward socioeconomic categories. Her primary NAICS classification is 611620 (Sports and Recreation Instruction), which, in this context, reflects the unique application of instructional and training systems within the Academy’s technical curriculum—encompassing simulation hardware, flight dynamics analyzers, and experiential learning platforms. Her domain expertise lies in procuring advanced educational technology that bridges theoretical instruction with real-world aerospace engineering applications.