Michelle Horton

Michelle Horton serves as a Contract Specialist within the FA4417 1 Socons under the Department of the Air Force, where she plays a pivotal role in executing mission-critical acquisitions for advanced communications systems, aeronautical navigation equipment, and integrated base defense technologies. She manages the full lifecycle of contracts—from solicitation and evaluation to award and administration—ensuring compliance with FAR and DFARS regulations while aligning procurements with the agency’s strategic goals of modernizing airpower capabilities and enhancing operational resilience. Her portfolio primarily encompasses wireless communications infrastructure, secure radio systems, and mission-enabling hardware critical to air operations. Michelle maintains consistent working relationships with a core group of contractors including AANTILIA LLC, MARRERO, COUVILLON & ASSOCIATES, L.L.C., MATTHES PARKER LLC, L1 ENTERPRISES INCORPORATED, and WALCO ENTERPRISES INC., each of which provides specialized engineering, systems integration, and technical support services. Her procurement approach emphasizes performance-based contracting and clear statement of work development, fostering collaborative partnerships with vendors capable of delivering ruggedized, secure, and field-deployable solutions under demanding operational conditions. Her contracting patterns reflect a balanced commitment to socioeconomic goals, with equal distribution between open competitions and Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5. She actively prioritizes small business participation without reliance on other set-aside programs, demonstrating a steady preference for small business vendors capable of meeting stringent technical and security requirements. Michelle’s primary technical focus lies in NAICS 334220 for radio and wireless communications equipment manufacturing, where she procures encrypted transceivers, tactical data links, and satellite-capable terminals. She also engages in acquisitions under NAICS 339113 for specialized aeronautical and defense-related medical and survival equipment, reflecting the dual operational and safety demands of Air Force missions. Her expertise spans both commercial-off-the-shelf and custom-engineered solutions in secure communications and mission-critical support systems.