Richard Cournoyer

Richard Cournoyer serves as a Procurement Contracting Officer (PCO) within the FA8823 Sustainment MCPNT SSC/PKL, a critical unit under the Department of the Air Force responsible for sustaining and modernizing aerospace and space-based defense systems. In this role, he manages the full lifecycle of complex acquisitions for mission-critical technologies including guided missile systems, satellite communications infrastructure, and advanced navigation platforms. His procurement portfolio centers on engineering services, systems integration, and R&D initiatives that ensure operational readiness and technological superiority in contested domains. Cournoyer’s expertise lies in structuring performance-based contracts that align with Air Force sustainment objectives while maintaining strict compliance with federal acquisition regulations. While specific contractor names are not disclosed, Cournoyer consistently engages with a diverse pool of vendors, including prime contractors with deep domain expertise in aerospace systems and software development, as well as specialized small businesses capable of delivering niche technical solutions. His contracting patterns reflect a preference for competed procurements that foster innovation and maintain a robust supplier base, with a notable emphasis on performance outcomes and technical risk mitigation. Cournoyer demonstrates a strong commitment to socioeconomic contracting, allocating 25% of his acquisitions to 8(a) competed set-asides, reflecting a deliberate strategy to cultivate capability among disadvantaged small businesses. The remaining 75% of his portfolio is awarded under full and open competition, ensuring broad market access while maintaining competitive rigor. His approach balances mission needs with federal small business goals, actively encouraging 8(a) firms to compete for high-impact technical contracts. His primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 541712 (R&D in physical and engineering sciences), 541511 (custom computer programming), and 334511 (aerospace navigation and guidance systems). He routinely procures advanced software development, sensor integration, signal processing, and mission-critical system sustainment services—domains requiring deep technical proficiency and strict adherence to defense acquisition standards.