Sara M. Chesser

Sara M. Chesser serves as a key procurement professional within the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Rocket Propulsion Division (FA9453), supporting the Department of the Air Force’s mission to advance next-generation space and aerospace technologies. She manages complex acquisitions for foundational research, rapid prototyping, and high-performance instrumentation critical to space domain awareness, resilient computing, and autonomous satellite systems. Her portfolio centers on early-stage innovation contracts that bridge laboratory research and operational deployment, often involving technical specifications for advanced propulsion systems, space-qualified sensors, and real-time data architectures. Chesser’s work ensures that cutting-edge aerospace capabilities are fielded efficiently through agile contracting methodologies aligned with AFRL’s mission to accelerate technological dominance in the space domain. While specific contractor names are not currently available, Chesser engages a diverse ecosystem of research institutions, engineering firms, and specialized technology vendors capable of delivering high-risk, high-reward prototypes. Her contracting patterns reflect a preference for collaborative, performance-based partnerships that encourage innovation through flexible contract vehicles such as Other Transaction Authorities and Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) pathways. She frequently works with entities possessing deep expertise in propulsion systems, thermal management, and space-hardened electronics, fostering long-term relationships with vendors who can rapidly adapt to evolving technical requirements. Chesser demonstrates a strong commitment to socioeconomic diversity in contracting, with nearly half of her awards structured as small business set-asides under FAR 19.5 and a significant portion allocated to 8(a) competed contracts. This reflects a deliberate strategy to cultivate emerging aerospace innovators and ensure broad participation from disadvantaged small businesses in high-technology domains. Her procurement approach prioritizes inclusion while maintaining technical rigor, aligning with Department of Defense goals to expand the national security industrial base. Her primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 541712 and 541715, encompassing physical and engineering research services, with additional activity in engineering services (541330) and specialized building support (238220, 561790). She procures advanced R&D outputs including propulsion test instrumentation, thermal control systems, and integrated avionics architectures, demonstrating deep technical fluency in aerospace systems engineering and experimental validation environments.