Paula A Long

Paula A. Long serves as a Contract Negotiator responsible for managing complex procurement actions within the federal acquisition framework, ensuring compliance with FAR regulations and promoting efficient, transparent contracting outcomes. She specializes in negotiating and awarding contracts for specialized aerospace and electronic components, playing a critical role in fulfilling mission-critical equipment requirements for national defense and aviation systems. Her work directly supports the agency’s acquisition mission by balancing technical requirements, cost-effectiveness, and regulatory adherence across the full contract lifecycle—from solicitation through award and administration. While specific contractor names are not publicly available, Long maintains consistent engagement with a diverse pool of suppliers specializing in aerospace subsystems and precision electronic components. Her negotiation patterns reflect a preference for established manufacturers with proven technical capabilities in high-reliability systems, often working with firms possessing AS9100 and ISO 9001 certifications. She fosters collaborative vendor relationships grounded in performance accountability, quality assurance, and timely delivery, ensuring mission readiness through reliable supply chain partnerships. Long demonstrates a strong commitment to small business participation, with nearly half of her acquisitions structured as Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5. This reflects a deliberate strategy to expand opportunities for small manufacturers in advanced manufacturing sectors, aligning with federal socioeconomic goals. While no other set-aside categories are predominant, her consistent use of small business set-asides signals a proactive effort to cultivate a robust base of capable small suppliers in high-tech manufacturing. Her procurement focus is overwhelmingly concentrated in NAICS 336413—Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing—indicating deep expertise in avionics, flight control systems, and non-engine aircraft components. A smaller but significant portion of her portfolio falls under NAICS 334419, covering specialized electronic components such as circuit boards and signal conditioning modules. This technical specialization underscores her proficiency in procuring mission-critical, high-integrity systems for aviation and defense applications.