Rhonda Netzer

Rhonda Netzer serves as a Contract Specialist within the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Rocket Propulsion Division (FA9453), where she plays a pivotal role in executing complex acquisitions for advanced aerospace and space systems. She manages the full lifecycle of research and development contracts, from requirement definition and market research through solicitation, evaluation, award, and contract administration. Her work directly supports the division’s mission to accelerate innovation in space domain awareness, resilient computing architectures, and high-performance instrumentation for autonomous space operations. Netzer specializes in securing cutting-edge technical capabilities through competitive and non-competitive procurement mechanisms, ensuring alignment with national security objectives and rapid prototyping timelines. Netzer collaborates with a diverse array of defense contractors, research institutions, and technology innovators specializing in rocket propulsion, space-based sensors, and advanced materials. While no single contractor dominates her portfolio, she consistently engages with firms possessing deep expertise in propulsion systems, hypersonics, and space-qualified electronics. Her contracting approach emphasizes technical merit, innovation readiness, and performance-based outcomes, fostering long-term partnerships with vendors capable of delivering high-risk, high-reward solutions under tight developmental schedules. Netzer’s procurement activity reflects a strict focus on open competition, with 100% of her acquisitions classified as “No Set-Aside.” This indicates a deliberate emphasis on selecting the most technically capable offerors regardless of socioeconomic status, aligning with the high-stakes, mission-critical nature of her portfolio. While small business participation is not formally prioritized through set-asides, she maintains compliance with all federal small business goals and may include small businesses as subcontractors within larger prime contracts. Her primary procurement focus lies within NAICS 541712—Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences—where she acquires advanced engineering services, prototype development, and systems integration for next-generation space propulsion and instrumentation. Her domain expertise spans rocket engine design, in-space propulsion testing, and high-fidelity simulation tools critical to maintaining U.S. superiority in space operations.