Pauline Forbes

Pauline Forbes serves as a key procurement lead within the FA8509 Aflcmc Wiuka, a specialized unit of the Department of the Air Force responsible for sustaining and modernizing mission-critical aircraft systems. She manages complex acquisitions focused on avionics integration, advanced manufacturing, and propulsion system upgrades for combat, transport, and polar-operating platforms. Her work ensures operational readiness through the timely procurement of high-reliability aerospace components and mission-specific hardware, aligning with the agency’s mandate to enhance aircraft survivability and mission capability. She typically handles full lifecycle contracts under FAR Part 15, including competitive sealed bidding and negotiated procurements for engineering services and system integration. Her contractor relationships are primarily with Tier 1 aerospace and defense prime contractors specializing in avionics modernization and aircraft manufacturing, alongside specialized systems integrators with deep expertise in military-grade navigation and guidance systems. While no single vendor dominates her portfolio, she consistently engages firms with proven track records in DoD compliance, AS9100 certification, and secure supply chain management. Her procurement approach emphasizes technical rigor, performance-based outcomes, and vendor accountability in high-stakes operational environments. Pauline’s contracting activity reflects a strong preference for open competition, with 100% of her acquisitions issued as non-set-aside procurements. This indicates a focus on technical capability and mission urgency over socioeconomic set-asides, though she remains compliant with all federal small business policies. Her approach prioritizes mission-critical performance over socioeconomic targets, ensuring access to the most qualified industrial base for complex aerospace systems. Her primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 336411 (Aircraft Manufacturing) and 334511 (Aeronautical System and Instrument Manufacturing), reflecting deep engagement in airframe modernization, embedded flight systems, and mission avionics. She also oversees specialized maintenance and repair services under NAICS 811219, ensuring sustainment of legacy and upgraded platforms. Her technical domain expertise spans flight control systems, radar integration, and secure data link technologies critical to Air Force operational dominance.