Liza Herrera

Liza Herrera serves as a Contracting Officer for the Air Force Research Laboratory’s RDK division (FA9451), where she manages the acquisition of advanced research and development services critical to national aerospace superiority. Her portfolio centers on securing cutting-edge capabilities in directed energy, electro-optics, laser systems, and advanced instrumentation, ensuring the Air Force maintains technological dominance. She oversees full lifecycle contract actions—from solicitation and evaluation to award and administration—primarily for complex, high-risk R&D projects requiring specialized technical expertise and stringent compliance with federal acquisition regulations. Herrera plays a pivotal role in translating operational warfighter needs into actionable procurement strategies that accelerate innovation in physical and engineering sciences. Her contractor relationships are primarily with defense science and technology firms possessing deep expertise in laser vulnerability analysis, optical system integration, and high-energy physics instrumentation. While no single vendor dominates her portfolio, she consistently engages with Tier-1 defense contractors and research institutions capable of delivering classified, prototype-level solutions under tight schedule constraints. Her approach emphasizes technical merit, past performance in similar R&D environments, and the ability to operate within secure, government-controlled facilities. Herrera’s contracting activity reflects a strong preference for unrestricted competition, with 100% of her awards issued under no set-aside classifications. This reflects the highly specialized, mission-critical nature of the technologies she procures, where only a limited pool of qualified entities possess the requisite clearance, infrastructure, and scientific capability. While small business participation is not formally prioritized in her portfolio, she remains compliant with all statutory requirements and evaluates small business capabilities where technically viable. Her primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 541712, encompassing physical, engineering, and life sciences R&D, with a secondary emphasis on office administrative services to support program management. She routinely acquires services related to laser system modeling, sensor development, materials characterization, and testbed instrumentation—domain areas demanding advanced engineering talent and classified research infrastructure.