Mary G. Gardner

Mary G. Gardner serves as a Contract Specialist within the FA2823 AFTC PZIO under the Department of the Air Force, where she manages the acquisition of advanced airborne and ground-based sensing, communication, and test instrumentation systems critical to aerospace mission readiness. Her portfolio centers on procuring high-precision avionics, electronic warfare, radar, and signal intelligence platforms, ensuring the modernization of test and evaluation infrastructure. Gardner specializes in complex technical acquisitions governed by FAR and DFARS, coordinating with engineering and program offices to align procurement strategy with operational requirements and lifecycle sustainment needs. She maintains consistent working relationships with key contractors including TOM HAMMONDS ENTERPRISES, LLC, STREET LEGAL INDUSTRIES, INC, SPEEGLE CONSTRUCTION, INC, DETECT INC, and THE CONTROLS COMPANY, LLC, reflecting a preference for established vendors with proven expertise in ruggedized instrumentation, electromagnetic compatibility solutions, and mission-critical system integration. Her contracting approach emphasizes performance-based outcomes, technical compliance, and long-term vendor reliability, often leveraging indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) and other flexible contract vehicles to meet dynamic operational demands. Gardner’s set-aside preferences are heavily weighted toward open competition, with 81.3% of awards issued without set-aside designation. She actively supports small business participation, allocating approximately 18% of contracts under Total Small Business Set-Asides per FAR 19.5, with minimal use of 8(a) competed awards, indicating a balanced but non-dominant focus on socioeconomic programs. Her procurement focus aligns primarily with NAICS codes 334515 (instrument manufacturing for electrical signal measurement), 334220 (radio and wireless communications equipment), and 541511 (custom computer programming), reflecting deep expertise in avionics test systems, signal processing hardware, and embedded software development. Gardner’s work supports the Air Force’s modernization of test ranges and electronic combat capabilities through targeted acquisitions in electromagnetic environment simulation, data acquisition systems, and real-time analytics platforms.