Rhonda A. Long

Rhonda A. Long serves as a Contract Specialist within the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Rocket Propulsion Division (FA9453), where she plays a pivotal role in executing mission-critical acquisitions that support advanced space and aerospace technologies. Her responsibilities include managing the full lifecycle of procurements for research, development, and prototyping initiatives focused on resilient computing, space domain awareness, and next-generation propulsion systems. She ensures compliance with federal acquisition regulations while aligning contracting strategies with the agency’s goal of accelerating innovation in autonomous space operations and high-performance instrumentation. Her acquisitions typically involve complex, technical services and specialized equipment procurement to meet urgent operational needs in the space domain. Rhonda collaborates with a diverse range of industry partners, including defense contractors, aerospace research firms, and engineering service providers with expertise in propulsion systems, satellite communications, and real-time data processing. While specific contractor names are not publicly available, her working relationships reflect a preference for vendors with proven technical capabilities in space systems engineering, RF communications, and high-fidelity simulation environments. She fosters collaborative, performance-based contracting models that emphasize innovation, rapid delivery, and technical adaptability. Rhonda’s procurement portfolio reflects a 100% focus on open, unrestricted competitions with no set-asides for 8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB, or other socioeconomic categories. This indicates a strategic emphasis on technical merit and mission readiness over socioeconomic preferences, prioritizing the most capable performers regardless of business size or certification status. Her primary NAICS focus areas include flight training (611512), research and development in physical and engineering sciences (541712), and wireless communications equipment manufacturing (334220). She regularly procures advanced instrumentation, telemetry systems, space-qualified computing hardware, and mission-critical software development services, demonstrating deep expertise in aerospace R&D, signal processing, and autonomous systems integration.