Malika Jackson

Malika Jackson serves as a key procurement professional within the FA9300 AFTC PZR, a specialized unit of the Department of the Air Force under the Department of Defense, where she oversees the acquisition of mission-critical software systems and analytical instrumentation essential to aerospace research and development. Her role centers on enabling cutting-edge testing, simulation, and operational readiness for next-generation air and space platforms by managing the full lifecycle of software-focused contracts—from requirements definition to contract award and performance monitoring. She specializes in procuring proprietary software solutions, data analytics tools, and embedded systems that support flight testing, sensor fusion, and digital twin development, ensuring alignment with Air Force R&D priorities and cybersecurity compliance standards. While specific contractor names are not publicly disclosed, Jackson maintains a dynamic network of software publishers and engineering service providers, fostering partnerships with both established defense contractors and agile technology firms capable of rapid prototyping and secure DevSecOps delivery. Her procurement approach emphasizes performance-based outcomes, modular architecture, and open standards to promote interoperability and long-term sustainment of acquired systems. Jackson exhibits a strong commitment to small business participation, with approximately half of her acquisitions structured as total small business set-asides under FAR 19.5, reflecting a deliberate strategy to cultivate innovation from emerging vendors. Her contracting patterns consistently prioritize socioeconomic programs, including 8(a), HUBZone, and SDVOSB firms, particularly those with niche expertise in aerospace software and data science. Her procurement focus is exclusively aligned with NAICS 513210 (Software Publishers), underscoring her deep specialization in commercial off-the-shelf and custom-developed software for defense applications. She procures advanced simulation environments, real-time data processing tools, machine learning models, and secure software-as-a-service platforms that directly support flight test instrumentation, mission analysis, and systems integration across classified and unclassified domains.