Kimerie S. Smith

Kimerie S. Smith serves as a Contract Specialist within the Air Force Research Laboratory’s RDK division (FA9451), where she plays a critical role in executing complex research and development acquisitions that directly support national security and air dominance initiatives. Her responsibilities encompass the full lifecycle of procurement for advanced scientific and engineering technologies, including directed energy systems, electro-optical sensors, laser vulnerability research, and next-generation aerospace instrumentation. She ensures compliance with federal acquisition regulations while aligning contract strategies with the RDK’s mission to accelerate innovation in physical and engineering sciences, working closely with technical leads to translate operational requirements into enforceable, performance-based solicitations. Smith’s contracting portfolio is primarily focused on non-set-aside, full and open competitions, reflecting the highly specialized and mission-critical nature of the technologies under development. While no specific contractor relationships are publicly identifiable, her work consistently engages top-tier defense contractors, academic research institutions, and advanced technology firms with proven capabilities in laser systems, optical engineering, and high-energy physics. Her procurement approach emphasizes technical rigor, risk mitigation, and timely delivery of prototype and developmental systems critical to Air Force modernization. Her contracting patterns show a strong preference for full and open competition, with 100% of her acquisitions classified as non-set-aside, indicating a focus on technical merit and capability over socioeconomic preferences. This aligns with the highly specialized nature of RDK’s work, where only a limited pool of vendors possesses the requisite expertise. Smith’s primary NAICS focus is 541715—Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences—reflecting her deep engagement with cutting-edge R&D in directed energy, laser systems, and advanced instrumentation. She routinely procures services involving experimental design, systems integration, and technical testing in support of classified and unclassified aerospace programs, requiring contractors with clearance, lab facilities, and domain-specific engineering talent.