Richard A. Harper

Richard A. Harper serves as a Contracting Officer within the FA7000 10 Cons Lgc organization of the Department of the Air Force, where he is responsible for managing the acquisition of precision instrumentation, laboratory equipment, and advanced technical systems critical to aerospace research and cadet training at the U.S. Air Force Academy. His portfolio centers on high-accuracy measuring devices, analytical platforms, and specialized scientific instrumentation that support operational readiness and facility modernization. Harper ensures compliance with federal procurement regulations while aligning acquisitions with the agency’s strategic imperatives in engineering and physical sciences research. He maintains consistent working relationships with a select group of specialized vendors, including SAWASAWA LLC, BERNARD CAP, LLC, TEAL DRONES INC, BRANSCOME OPERATING, LLC, and LAVISION, INC., all of which provide niche technical solutions in aerospace instrumentation, unmanned systems, and high-resolution data acquisition. These partnerships reflect a preference for vendors with proven expertise in laboratory-grade equipment and defense-relevant R&D capabilities, indicating a focus on technical reliability and mission-critical performance over volume-based procurement. Harper’s contracting activity shows a 100% preference for full and open competition, with no set-asides designated for 8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB, or other socioeconomic categories. This reflects a mission-driven prioritization of technical capability and performance over socioeconomic targeting, consistent with the highly specialized nature of the equipment procured. His procurement activity is exclusively focused on NAICS 541712—Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)—demonstrating deep expertise in acquiring advanced scientific systems such as laser Doppler velocimeters, high-speed imaging platforms, environmental test chambers, and precision sensor arrays. Harper’s work directly enables the Academy’s mission to develop future aerospace leaders through cutting-edge technical training and research.