Rachel Silva

Rachel Silva serves as the primary contracting representative for FA8137, the Air Force Productivity and Innovation Office under the Department of the Air Force, where she manages the acquisition of mission-critical infrastructure and aerospace support systems. Her role centers on ensuring operational readiness through the procurement of facilities sustainment, modernization, and technical services that uphold defense standards for air base infrastructure. She routinely handles complex contracts for construction, engineering services, and specialized aircraft component manufacturing, aligning acquisitions with strategic priorities such as energy resilience and aging system modernization. Her work directly supports the sustainment of high-priority Air Force installations by securing capabilities that maintain mission-critical facility functionality. While specific contractor names are not available, Silva’s procurement patterns indicate a preference for established defense industrial base vendors with proven expertise in aerospace manufacturing and facility engineering. She engages with a mix of large prime contractors and specialized small businesses capable of delivering precision-engineered components and technical services under strict DoD compliance standards. Her working relationships emphasize technical capability, past performance, and regulatory adherence, with a focus on vendors able to meet rapid turnaround timelines for mission-essential upgrades. Silva’s contracting portfolio reflects a strong emphasis on open competition, with 84.8% of awards issued without set-aside restrictions. However, she consistently allocates 15.2% of acquisitions to Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5, demonstrating a deliberate commitment to small business participation without favoring specific socioeconomic categories such as 8(a), HUBZone, or SDVOSB. This approach balances broad market access with targeted support for qualified small firms capable of delivering specialized aerospace and construction services. Her primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 336413 (Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing), reflecting deep expertise in sourcing non-engine aircraft components critical to base operations. She also procures industrial building construction (236210) and engineering services (541330), underscoring her technical proficiency in integrating facility upgrades with aerospace systems. Her domain expertise spans the lifecycle management of air base infrastructure, from structural renovations to the integration of advanced auxiliary equipment.