Richard C Childres

Richard C. Childres serves as a Contract Specialist within the Air Force Research Laboratory’s FA8750 organization, where he plays a pivotal role in executing complex research and development acquisitions to advance next-generation aerospace and defense technologies. He specializes in procuring high-technology solutions in autonomous systems, resilient communications, AI-enabled battle-space awareness, and quantum-enabled platforms, ensuring alignment with the Department of the Air Force’s strategic innovation goals. His acquisitions typically involve advanced engineering services, prototype development, and specialized hardware manufacturing under FAR Part 36 and Part 35 authorities, often utilizing Other Transaction Authorities (OTAs) and competitive sealed bidding to meet rapid capability timelines. Childres maintains robust working relationships with leading defense and aerospace contractors including Booz Allen Hamilton, Lockheed Martin, and Eaton Corporation, alongside innovative small businesses such as Technergetics, LLC and Caelight, Inc. He fosters collaborative partnerships that bridge commercial innovation with military requirements, frequently engaging vendors with proven expertise in embedded systems, optical communications, and secure data infrastructure. His approach emphasizes technical rigor, performance-based outcomes, and agile contract management to support iterative prototyping and field-deployable solutions. His procurement strategy reflects a balanced commitment to small business participation, with nearly equal allocation between total small business set-asides and open competitions, alongside consistent use of Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) and HUBZone set-asides. He actively promotes socioeconomic diversity by incorporating SBA-certified Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Businesses (EDWOSBs), reinforcing the agency’s mandate to cultivate a resilient, inclusive supplier base. Childres focuses primarily on NAICS codes related to electronic computer manufacturing, wireless communications equipment, and computer storage devices, reflecting his domain expertise in hardware-intensive R&D. He procures mission-critical components including RF modules, secure computing platforms, optical transceivers, and signal processing systems, ensuring technical alignment with the lab’s priorities in free-space optical networks and AI-driven sensor fusion.