Maria Fe Hauf

Maria Fe Hauf serves as a Contract Specialist within the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Rocket Propulsion Division (FA9453), where she plays a pivotal role in executing complex acquisitions for advanced space and aerospace technologies. Her responsibilities encompass the full lifecycle of research and development contracts, from solicitation and evaluation to award and administration, ensuring alignment with the division’s mission to accelerate innovation in space domain awareness, resilient computing, and high-performance instrumentation. Hauf specializes in procuring cutting-edge engineering solutions that support rapid prototyping and foundational research for next-generation space systems, often navigating technically demanding requirements under urgent operational timelines. Her contractor relationships are primarily with defense aerospace primes, specialized R&D firms, and engineering service providers with deep expertise in propulsion systems, space-grade electronics, and autonomous navigation technologies. She collaborates closely with vendors capable of delivering classified and export-controlled technical solutions, fostering partnerships built on technical rigor, compliance with ITAR and DFARS, and agile delivery methodologies. While no single contractor dominates her portfolio, she consistently engages with firms possessing proven capabilities in hypersonics, solid-fuel propulsion, and space-based sensor integration. Hauf’s contracting activity reflects a strong preference for unrestricted competition, with 100% of her acquisitions issued as no set-aside. This underscores a mission-driven focus on accessing the broadest possible pool of technical expertise, prioritizing capability over socioeconomic categorization. While small business participation is not formally targeted, she remains open to qualified small businesses that demonstrate technical superiority and compliance with stringent aerospace standards. Her procurement focus is exclusively centered on NAICS 541712—Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. She routinely procures advanced propulsion systems, space-qualified instrumentation, computational modeling services, and high-fidelity testbeds, supporting the Air Force’s strategic imperative to maintain technological dominance in the space domain.