Leah Ransom

Leah Ransom serves as a Contract Specialist at the Headquarters, Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center (AFOTEC), where she plays a critical role in securing independent evaluation capabilities for next-generation Air Force weapon systems and mission-critical technologies. Her procurement activities support AFOTEC’s mandate to conduct rigorous, real-world operational testing of aerospace, cyber-enabled, and command and control systems prior to full-scale deployment. She specializes in managing complex research and development contracts under FAR Part 15, ensuring acquisitions align with technical requirements, performance-based outcomes, and federal testing standards. Her work directly enables the Air Force’s operational readiness by facilitating access to cutting-edge analytical and test infrastructure. Leah collaborates extensively with a diverse ecosystem of technical contractors, primarily small businesses with deep expertise in systems engineering, test instrumentation, data analytics, and simulation modeling. While specific vendor names are not disclosed, her contracting patterns reflect consistent engagement with firms possessing specialized domain knowledge in physical and engineering sciences, often requiring security clearances and experience with DoD test ranges. She fosters collaborative, performance-driven relationships, emphasizing technical innovation, transparency, and compliance with operational test protocols. Leah demonstrates an unwavering commitment to socioeconomic contracting, directing 100% of her acquisitions toward small business set-asides under FAR 19.5. Her portfolio consistently prioritizes small disadvantaged businesses, women-owned small businesses, and other HUBZone and SDVOSB-eligible entities, reflecting AFOTEC’s strategic alignment with federal small business goals. This approach ensures broad participation from agile, niche providers capable of delivering tailored test and evaluation solutions. Her primary procurement focus is on NAICS 541712—Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences—encompassing advanced modeling and simulation, electronic warfare test support, cybersecurity vulnerability assessments, and autonomous systems evaluation. Leah’s expertise lies in acquiring technical services that bridge operational requirements with scientific rigor, ensuring that Air Force systems are proven effective and survivable under realistic combat conditions.