Morgan VanHooser

Morgan VanHooser serves as a Contract Specialist within the Air Force Research Laboratory’s PZL division under the Air Force Materiel Command, supporting critical research and development initiatives aligned with air and space domain dominance. Responsible for managing full lifecycle procurements, VanHooser executes complex R&D contracts focused on autonomous sensing, target recognition, sensor exploitation, and next-generation microelectronics. Their work directly enables the integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning into defense systems, ensuring timely acquisition of innovative technologies that meet urgent operational needs. VanHooser specializes in non-commercial, performance-based acquisitions under FAR Part 35 and Part 36, frequently utilizing Other Transaction Authorities and Basic Ordering Agreements to accelerate innovation. VanHooser maintains strategic partnerships with leading defense technology contractors including Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation, Raytheon Company, and Matrix Research Inc., who consistently deliver advanced engineering solutions in sensor systems, signal processing, and embedded computing. These relationships are characterized by long-term collaboration, technical alignment, and structured performance metrics tied to technical milestones rather than fixed-price deliverables. VanHooser fosters transparent, mission-driven vendor engagement, often engaging contractors early in the requirements development phase to ensure technical feasibility and acquisition efficiency. VanHooser’s procurement portfolio reflects a singular focus on open competition, with 100% of awards issued under no set-aside conditions. While small business participation is not mandated through socioeconomic programs, the office actively encourages participation through mentor-protégé arrangements and subcontracting opportunities embedded in prime contracts. This approach prioritizes technical excellence and mission readiness over socioeconomic targeting, aligning with the high-stakes, time-sensitive nature of AFRL’s R&D objectives. The primary NAICS code for all acquisitions is 541715, reflecting an exclusive focus on research and development in physical, engineering, and life sciences. VanHooser procures advanced hardware and software systems for autonomous platforms, AI-driven data exploitation, and high-performance microelectronics, supporting classified and unclassified projects critical to next-generation air and space systems.