Richard Salisbury

Richard Salisbury serves as a key procurement lead within the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Propulsion Directorate, overseeing the acquisition of advanced aerospace technologies critical to U.S. air and space dominance. He manages complex research and development contracts focused on next-generation propulsion systems, hypersonic flight technologies, and high-performance functional materials. His role centers on translating mission-critical technical requirements into solicitation strategies that attract industry innovation, ensuring timely delivery of cutting-edge capabilities to support the Department of the Air Force’s long-term modernization objectives. He routinely handles sole-source and competitive R&D procurements under FAR Part 35 and other specialized authorities for scientific and engineering services. Salisbury maintains consistent partnerships with leading aerospace and propulsion contractors including UES INC, General Electric Company, DCS Corporation, Spirit Aerosystems Inc, and Advanced Thermoplastic Composites LLC. These relationships reflect a preference for established industry leaders with proven expertise in propulsion system design, materials science, and adaptive flight control technologies. His contracting approach emphasizes technical excellence and mission alignment, often engaging vendors through cooperative research agreements, OTAs, and SBIR/STTR follow-ons to accelerate transition from lab to field. His procurement portfolio exhibits no set-aside preferences, with 100% of awards issued under full and open competition. This reflects a strategic focus on accessing the broadest possible pool of technical capability rather than socioeconomic classifications, prioritizing mission need over socioeconomic criteria. While small business participation is not formally targeted, he does not exclude qualified small firms from competition when they meet stringent technical benchmarks. His primary focus is on NAICS 541715—Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences—where he procures advanced propulsion modeling, high-temperature material development, combustion dynamics analysis, and hypersonic wind tunnel testing services. His expertise lies in securing R&D solutions that bridge fundamental science with operational aerospace systems, ensuring the Air Force maintains technological superiority in propulsion and flight control domains.