Melinda Hazzard

Melinda Hazzard serves as a key procurement lead within the FA2823 AFTC PZIO under the Department of the Air Force, overseeing the acquisition of advanced airborne and ground-based sensing, communication, and test instrumentation systems critical to aerospace mission readiness. She manages complex contracts for avionics, electronic warfare, radar, and signal intelligence platforms, ensuring the integration of high-precision measurement and control technologies that support test and evaluation modernization. Her work directly enables the agency’s mission to maintain operational superiority through cutting-edge technical infrastructure, with a focus on electromagnetic compatibility, signal integrity, and real-time data acquisition systems. Hazzard maintains consistent partnerships with a select group of specialized contractors, including TOM HAMMONDS ENTERPRISES, LLC, STREET LEGAL INDUSTRIES, INC, SPEEGLE CONSTRUCTION, INC, DETECT INC, and THE CONTROLS COMPANY, LLC. These vendors provide niche capabilities in electronic system integration, ruggedized test hardware, signal conditioning, and mission-critical infrastructure support. Her procurement approach favors established technical specialists with proven experience in defense-grade environments, emphasizing reliability, compliance with MIL-STDs, and rapid prototyping support for urgent operational needs. Hazzard’s contracting activity reflects a strict preference for full and open competition, with 100% of awards issued without set-asides for 8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB, or other socioeconomic programs. This reflects a mission-driven prioritization of technical capability and schedule urgency over socioeconomic targeting, aligning with the high-stakes nature of aerospace test and evaluation requirements. Her primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 517410 (Satellite Telecommunications), supporting secure data links and space-based sensor networks, and NAICS 713990 (All Other Amusement and Recreation Industries), which in this context refers to the procurement of specialized simulation and training systems used for mission rehearsal and electronic combat modeling. Her expertise spans RF instrumentation, telemetry systems, and embedded control architectures essential to next-generation air dominance platforms.