Nick Usechak

Nick Usechak serves as a Project Engineer and Program Manager within the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Propulsion Directorate (AFRL/PZL), where he leads the technical evaluation and acquisition of advanced propulsion systems, hypersonic technologies, and high-performance materials critical to U.S. air and space dominance. In this dual technical and programmatic role, he bridges engineering requirements with procurement strategy, ensuring that R&D contracts align with mission-critical development timelines and technical specifications. He primarily manages sole-source and competitive research and development acquisitions under the 541715 NAICS code, focusing on fundamental and applied engineering research in aerospace propulsion, adaptive flight control, and advanced material systems. Nick maintains long-standing relationships with industry leaders such as UES Inc., General Electric Company, DCS Corporation, Spirit Aerosystems Inc., and Advanced Thermoplastic Composites LLC, engaging them primarily for complex, high-risk R&D efforts requiring deep domain expertise in propulsion physics, thermal management, and composite fabrication. His contracting approach emphasizes technical collaboration, with vendors often integrated early in the requirements definition phase to ensure feasibility and innovation. These partnerships are typically structured as cost-reimbursement or time-and-materials contracts to accommodate the exploratory nature of the work. Nick’s procurement portfolio shows no reliance on socioeconomic set-asides, with 100% of awards issued under full and open competition. This reflects the specialized, classified, or nationally critical nature of the technologies being developed, where only a limited pool of qualified vendors possesses the requisite clearance levels, facilities, or technical capabilities. His approach prioritizes mission readiness over socioeconomic targets, consistent with the unique demands of defense R&D. His primary focus is on NAICS 541715, encompassing research and development in physical and engineering sciences, particularly in propulsion systems, hypersonic aerodynamics, and advanced functional materials. He procures services related to computational fluid dynamics modeling, wind tunnel testing, additive manufacturing of turbine components, and high-temperature material characterization, supporting AFRL’s mission to accelerate next-generation propulsion capabilities.