Kimerie Smith

Kimerie Smith serves as a key procurement professional within the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Rocket Propulsion Division (FA9453), supporting the development and acquisition of advanced space and aerospace technologies. Responsible for managing research and development contracts, Smith facilitates the rapid prototyping and fielding of next-generation propulsion systems, resilient computing architectures, and high-performance space instrumentation. Their work directly enables the Air Force’s strategic priorities in space domain awareness, autonomous satellite operations, and secure space communications, ensuring that cutting-edge innovations transition efficiently from laboratory to operational capability. Smith typically handles complex, performance-based acquisitions under cost-reimbursement and time-and-materials contract vehicles, often involving multi-year, high-risk R&D efforts requiring technical flexibility and agile contracting approaches. Smith’s contractor relationships are primarily with specialized defense technology firms and academic research partners capable of delivering advanced aerospace systems. These include firms with deep expertise in rocket propulsion, hypersonics, space-grade electronics, and real-time data processing architectures. While no single contractor dominates the portfolio, the contracting pattern reflects a preference for technical excellence and innovation over volume-based sourcing, with a focus on partners who can rapidly adapt to evolving mission requirements and demonstrate proven capabilities in classified or sensitive space domains. Smith’s procurement activity is entirely non-set-aside, with 100% of contracts awarded under full and open competition. This reflects the highly technical, mission-critical nature of the work, where specialized capabilities and security clearances often limit the pool of qualified vendors. While small business participation is not formally prioritized through socioeconomic set-asides, the agency actively seeks capable small businesses with niche technical expertise in propulsion, avionics, and space systems integration. The primary NAICS code 541715 governs all of Smith’s acquisitions, underscoring a singular focus on research and development in physical and engineering sciences. Procurements center on advanced propulsion technologies, space-qualified sensors, autonomous guidance systems, and high-fidelity simulation tools. The technical domain demands deep expertise in fluid dynamics, combustion modeling, thermal management, and space-environment resilience, making this one of the most technically demanding R&D contracting portfolios within the Department of the Air Force.