Rita R Horton

Rita R. Horton serves as a Contract Negotiator for the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Propulsion Directorate (FA8650), where she plays a pivotal role in securing advanced aerospace technologies critical to U.S. air and space dominance. Her responsibilities include leading complex negotiations for research and development contracts focused on next-generation propulsion systems, hypersonic flight technologies, and high-performance functional materials. She works closely with technical teams to align procurement strategy with mission objectives, ensuring that contract terms support innovation, intellectual property protection, and rapid technology transition. Horton’s acquisitions are primarily research-driven, targeting early-stage development through prototyping and advanced engineering services essential to sustaining technological superiority in propulsion and adaptive flight control. Horton maintains longstanding relationships with industry leaders such as UES Inc., General Electric Company, DCS Corporation, Spirit Aerosystems Inc., and Advanced Thermoplastic Composites LLC. These partnerships reflect a preference for established defense aerospace contractors with proven capabilities in propulsion system design, materials science, and systems integration. Her negotiation approach emphasizes performance-based outcomes, technical risk mitigation, and compliance with federal acquisition regulations, fostering collaborative environments that encourage innovation while safeguarding national security interests. Horton’s procurement portfolio is entirely classified under “No Set-Aside,” indicating a strategic focus on technical capability over socioeconomic preferences. While small business participation is not a primary driver in her award decisions, her contracts remain open to all qualified vendors, prioritizing mission-critical expertise and proven technical performance above socioeconomic categorizations. Her work is exclusively aligned with NAICS 541712—Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)—reflecting deep specialization in advanced propulsion, hypersonics, and high-temperature materials. She procures services ranging from computational fluid dynamics modeling and combustor testing to composite material development and flight control system prototyping, supporting the Air Force’s mission to accelerate the transition of breakthrough propulsion technologies from lab to battlefield.