Paulette Windley

Paulette Windley serves as a Contracting Officer within the Air Force Research Laboratory’s RDK division (FA9451), where she manages the acquisition of advanced research and development services critical to national aerospace security. Her portfolio centers on high-priority R&D initiatives in directed energy, electro-optics, laser systems, and advanced instrumentation, ensuring the timely delivery of cutting-edge technologies that enhance air dominance. As a key procurement lead, she oversees full lifecycle contract actions—from market research and solicitation to award and administration—primarily supporting classified and sensitive scientific programs aligned with the Department of the Air Force’s strategic modernization goals. Windley collaborates with a diverse ecosystem of prime contractors and research institutions specializing in physical and engineering sciences, including defense aerospace primes, university-affiliated research centers, and specialized engineering firms. Her procurement approach emphasizes technical rigor, performance-based outcomes, and compliance with federal acquisition regulations, fostering long-term partnerships with vendors capable of delivering complex, prototype-scale solutions under stringent security and compliance protocols. Her contracting patterns reflect a strong preference for unrestricted competition, with 100% of her acquisitions conducted under non-set-aside authorities. While she does not currently prioritize 8(a), HUBZone, or SDVOSB set-asides, her focus remains on securing the highest technical capability to meet mission-critical R&D requirements, consistent with the unique demands of classified aerospace innovation. Windley’s primary NAICS focus is 541712—Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences—where she procures services related to laser vulnerability analysis, optical system prototyping, high-energy physics instrumentation, and advanced sensor development. Her expertise lies in acquiring specialized scientific and engineering services that bridge laboratory innovation with operational military capability, ensuring the Air Force maintains technological superiority in next-generation directed energy and electro-optical domains.