Michele A. Cleckner

Michele A. Cleckner serves as a Contract Specialist within the FA8823 Sustainment MCPNT SSC/PKL under the Department of the Air Force, where she plays a pivotal role in executing acquisitions that sustain and modernize critical aerospace and space-based defense systems. Her portfolio centers on procuring advanced wireless communications equipment and associated technologies essential to global positioning systems, satellite communications, and command, control, and communications infrastructure. She manages full lifecycle contracting actions—from market research and solicitation development to award and contract administration—ensuring alignment with national security objectives and Air Force readiness mandates. Cleckner collaborates with a diverse array of defense contractors specializing in radio and wireless communications equipment manufacturing, fostering partnerships with both large prime contractors and innovative small businesses. While no single contractor dominates her portfolio, she maintains a balanced approach that emphasizes technical capability, supply chain resilience, and performance reliability across the defense industrial base. Her working relationships are characterized by proactive engagement, clear performance expectations, and adherence to federal acquisition regulations. A strong advocate for socioeconomic opportunities, Cleckner consistently applies a 50% small business set-aside preference under FAR 19.5, ensuring equitable access for small, disadvantaged, and veteran-owned firms. Her contracting patterns reflect a deliberate commitment to broadening vendor participation while maintaining mission-critical standards. She actively leverages the 8(a), HUBZone, and SDVOSB programs to cultivate a competitive, inclusive supplier base aligned with DoD small business goals. Her technical focus is exclusively on NAICS 334220, encompassing the procurement of radio and television broadcasting and wireless communications equipment. This includes secure transceivers, satellite terminals, encrypted data links, and embedded communication systems integral to missile sustainment and space-based asset operations. Cleckner’s expertise lies in navigating the complex technical requirements of defense-grade RF and signal processing systems, ensuring acquisitions meet stringent military performance and cybersecurity standards.