Samantha Shirley

Samantha Shirley serves as a key procurement lead within the W6QK Acc-rsa office of the Department of the Army, driving acquisitions that sustain and modernize the U.S. Army’s aerial and missile defense systems. She manages the full lifecycle of contracts for mission-critical aerospace components, including avionics, sensor suites, propulsion subsystems, and precision electronic assemblies supporting platforms such as the UH-60 Black Hawk and AH-64 Apache. Her work directly enables the Army’s strategic modernization goals by ensuring timely delivery of high-reliability systems that meet rigorous military specifications and environmental standards. Shirley’s acquisitions span both new development and sustainment efforts, with a strong emphasis on maintaining operational readiness through rapid repair and upgrade cycles. While specific contractor names are not publicly disclosed, Shirley maintains a robust network of specialized vendors focused on electronic component manufacturing and precision equipment maintenance. Her procurement approach emphasizes technical agility and supply chain resilience, fostering partnerships with firms capable of rapid prototyping, obsolescence management, and MIL-STD compliance. She routinely engages with niche suppliers possessing niche certifications such as AS9100 and ITAR registration, ensuring that critical components meet stringent defense-grade quality controls. Shirley exhibits a firm commitment to socioeconomic contracting, directing 100% of her acquisitions toward small business set-asides under FAR 19.5. This consistent preference ensures that small, innovative firms—particularly those owned by veterans, women, or socially and economically disadvantaged individuals—have equitable access to high-impact defense contracts. Her contracting patterns reflect a deliberate strategy to cultivate a diverse, responsive industrial base capable of supporting urgent operational needs. Her primary technical focus lies in NAICS 334419 (Other Electronic Component Manufacturing) and 811210 (Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance), reflecting deep expertise in procuring custom circuit boards, radar interfaces, flight control modules, and field-deployable repair kits. Shirley’s domain knowledge spans embedded systems, RF shielding, and ruggedized electronics, making her a pivotal figure in sustaining the Army’s tactical aviation and air defense capabilities.