Nicholas Gava

Nicholas Gava serves as a Contract Administrator within the FA8823 Sustainment MCPNT SSC/PKL, a critical unit of the Department of the Air Force responsible for sustaining and modernizing aerospace and space-based defense systems. In this role, he manages the full lifecycle of procurement actions for mission-critical infrastructure, including guided missile systems, satellite communications platforms, and command and control networks. His responsibilities include developing solicitation documents, evaluating technical and cost proposals, negotiating contract terms, and ensuring compliance with federal acquisition regulations. Gava’s work directly supports operational readiness by facilitating timely acquisition of specialized technical services and hardware essential to national security. Gava collaborates with a diverse array of contractors, primarily small businesses and specialized specialty trade firms, to deliver complex sustainment and modernization solutions. His procurement patterns reflect strong engagement with vendors possessing niche expertise in aerospace support systems, communications equipment, and facility infrastructure. While no single contractor dominates his portfolio, his working relationships are characterized by consistent, long-term partnerships with firms capable of meeting stringent DoD technical and security requirements. He fosters collaborative vendor engagement through clear performance expectations and structured contract administration practices. Gava demonstrates a robust commitment to socioeconomic contracting, with 70% of his acquisitions structured as total small business set-asides under FAR 19.5, and 20% reserved specifically for service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses. His consistent use of SDVOSB and small business set-asides reflects a deliberate strategy to expand opportunities for qualified disadvantaged firms while maintaining mission-critical performance standards. This pattern underscores a culture of inclusive procurement aligned with Air Force and federal small business goals. His primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 238990 (All Other Specialty Trade Contractors), supporting facility and infrastructure sustainment, alongside 238220 (plumbing, heating, and HVAC) for base operations and 334220 (wireless communications equipment) for critical defense systems. He also frequently procures R&D services under 541712, indicating deep technical engagement in advanced aerospace and space-based technology modernization.