Melissa Huston

Melissa Huston serves as a secondary contracting professional within the FA8227 unit of the Department of the Air Force, supporting the sustainment and modernization of critical aerospace test and industrial infrastructure. She plays a vital role in facilitating acquisitions for high-precision measurement systems, specialized test platforms, and advanced manufacturing equipment essential to flight systems readiness and weapons lifecycle support. Her responsibilities include executing complex procurement actions under FAR and DFARS guidelines, ensuring compliance with technical specifications for mission-critical aerospace instrumentation and industrial maintenance services. Huston maintains consistent working relationships with key contractors including North Star Imaging Incorporated and Thermo Electron North America LLC, both of which provide advanced non-destructive evaluation systems, industrial imaging solutions, and precision calibration services. These partnerships reflect a focus on technical vendors with deep expertise in aerospace-grade equipment maintenance and high-reliability instrumentation. Her contracting patterns emphasize long-term vendor collaboration, often involving performance-based service contracts and maintenance support agreements that ensure operational continuity of sensitive test facilities. Her procurement portfolio demonstrates a strong inclination toward small business participation, with nearly 40% of awards structured as total small business set-asides under FAR 19.5, reflecting a deliberate effort to expand access for qualified small vendors. While the majority of acquisitions remain open competition, she actively leverages 8(a) competed set-asides to foster innovation from disadvantaged small businesses, aligning with Air Force socioeconomic goals. Huston’s primary procurement focus lies in NAICS categories centered on commercial and industrial machinery repair (811310), miscellaneous electrical equipment manufacturing (335999), and measuring and controlling device manufacturing (334519). She regularly procures specialized test sensors, calibration systems, industrial automation components, and maintenance services for aerospace-grade test stands and manufacturing equipment, demonstrating deep domain expertise in aerospace test infrastructure sustainment and precision instrumentation lifecycle support.