Nicole Baert

Nicole Baert supports the procurement mission of the FA7000 10 Cons Lgc within the Department of the Air Force, managing acquisitions critical to sustaining aerospace research, cadet training, and facility modernization at the U.S. Air Force Academy. She handles complex procurements for precision instrumentation, laboratory equipment, and specialized technical systems, ensuring alignment with operational readiness and scientific integrity. Her work directly enables the acquisition of high-accuracy measuring devices, data acquisition systems, and mission-critical avionics, bridging technical requirements with contractual execution to support advanced aerospace education and R&D initiatives. Baert maintains consistent working relationships with a select group of specialized vendors, including SAWASAWA LLC, BERNARD CAP, LLC, TEAL DRONES INC, BRANSCOME OPERATING, LLC, and LAVISION, INC. These contractors provide niche capabilities in unmanned aerial systems, optical measurement instrumentation, custom data acquisition hardware, and laboratory-grade analytical tools. Her procurement pattern reflects a preference for established technical partners with proven expertise in defense-grade instrumentation, indicating a focus on reliability, compliance, and mission-specific performance over broad-market suppliers. Her contracting activity is predominantly non-set-aside, with 80.7% of awards issued under full and open competition, reflecting the specialized nature of the equipment and services required. However, she actively incorporates small business participation, with 19.4% of awards designated as total small business set-asides under FAR 19.5, demonstrating a measured commitment to socioeconomic goals without compromising technical rigor or mission necessity. Baert’s procurement focus centers on NAICS 423430 for computer and peripheral equipment wholesaling, 334111 for electronic computer manufacturing, and 541511 for custom computer programming services, with additional emphasis on 334511 for aeronautical navigation and guidance systems. Her domain expertise lies in acquiring mission-critical hardware and software systems that support flight simulation, sensor calibration, and real-time data analysis—core components of aerospace training and research at the Academy.