Nancy D Lopez

Nancy D. Lopez serves as a Contract Specialist within the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Rocket Propulsion Division (FA9453), where she plays a pivotal role in executing complex research and development acquisitions critical to advancing U.S. space dominance. She manages the full lifecycle of contracts for high-performance aerospace systems, including propulsion technologies, resilient computing architectures, and next-generation space instrumentation. Her work directly supports the division’s mission to accelerate innovation in space domain awareness, satellite communications, and autonomous space operations through rapid prototyping and foundational R&D. Lopez specializes in non-commercial, cost-reimbursement and time-and-materials contracts tailored to high-risk, high-reward technical environments requiring agile acquisition approaches. Her contractor relationships are centered on leading aerospace defense primes and specialized R&D firms with proven expertise in propulsion systems, space-grade electronics, and advanced materials. She collaborates closely with vendors capable of delivering classified and export-controlled technologies under strict compliance frameworks, often engaging firms with prior experience in Department of Defense space programs. Her procurement patterns reflect a preference for technical excellence and mission-critical performance over cost competitiveness, fostering long-term partnerships with contractors who demonstrate deep domain knowledge and rapid response capabilities. Lopez’s contracting portfolio reflects a 100% non-set-aside orientation, indicating a focus on open competition to ensure access to the broadest possible pool of technical talent and innovation capacity. While small business participation is not formally prioritized through socioeconomic set-asides, she actively encourages qualified small businesses to compete under full and open competition, particularly those with niche capabilities in propulsion physics, space telemetry, or high-fidelity simulation. Her primary procurement focus is on NAICS 541712—Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences—encompassing advanced propulsion testing, space-based sensor development, autonomous guidance systems, and high-speed data processing architectures. She consistently procures services and prototypes requiring interdisciplinary engineering expertise, with an emphasis on technologies that enable resilient, next-generation space operations.