Matthew K. Wilkens

Matthew K. Wilkens serves as a Contract Specialist within the FA8823 Sustainment MCPNT SSC/PKL under the Department of the Air Force, where he plays a pivotal role in securing critical technology services to sustain and modernize aerospace and space-based defense systems. His procurement responsibilities center on the acquisition of computer systems design services essential to maintaining operational readiness of guided missile systems, satellite communications networks, and global positioning infrastructure. Wilkens manages the full lifecycle of contract actions—from requirements validation and market research to solicitation, award, and performance oversight—ensuring alignment with Air Force modernization priorities and national security objectives. Wilkens collaborates with a broad spectrum of defense contractors specializing in systems engineering, software development, and mission-critical IT infrastructure. While no single contractor dominates his portfolio, he consistently engages with firms possessing deep expertise in aerospace systems integration, cybersecurity-enabled command and control platforms, and space domain awareness technologies. His contracting approach emphasizes technical proficiency, past performance, and compliance with federal acquisition regulations, fostering long-term partnerships with vendors capable of supporting complex, high-assurance environments. Wilkens’ procurement activity reflects a strict focus on open competition, with 100% of his acquisitions classified as “No Set-Aside.” This indicates a preference for awarding contracts based on technical merit and cost-effectiveness rather than socioeconomic programs, aligning with the agency’s mission to rapidly field capable systems without restriction. While small business participation is not formally prioritized through set-asides, his processes remain fully compliant with all applicable socioeconomic regulations. His primary procurement focus is concentrated in NAICS 541512 (Computer Systems Design Services), reflecting an exclusive emphasis on professional IT services supporting mission systems sustainment. He procures custom software development, systems architecture design, embedded software integration, and cybersecurity hardening services tailored to classified and unclassified space and missile platforms, demonstrating specialized expertise in defense-critical IT domains.