Sarah E Chaffe

Sarah E. Chaffe serves as a Contract Negotiator for the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Propulsion Directorate (AFRL/PZL), where she plays a pivotal role in securing advanced aerospace technologies critical to U.S. air and space dominance. She specializes in negotiating complex research and development contracts for next-generation propulsion systems, hypersonic flight technologies, and high-performance functional materials. Her work directly supports AFRL’s mission to accelerate the transition of cutting-edge engineering solutions from lab to field, ensuring the Department of Defense maintains technological superiority in mission-critical domains. Chaffe routinely manages prime contract actions under the FA8650 procurement code, focusing on early-stage R&D, prototype development, and technology maturation efforts. She maintains sustained working relationships with leading aerospace and defense contractors including UES INC, General Electric Company, DCS Corporation, Spirit Aerosystems Inc., and Advanced Thermoplastic Composites LLC. These partnerships reflect a preference for established industry leaders with proven expertise in propulsion systems, composite materials, and flight control technologies. Chaffe’s negotiation approach emphasizes technical rigor, performance-based outcomes, and risk-sharing frameworks, fostering long-term collaboration with vendors capable of delivering high-fidelity prototypes and validated engineering solutions under tight developmental timelines. Chaffe’s contracting portfolio reflects a strict focus on open competition, with 100% of her awards issued under no set-aside provisions. This indicates a deliberate strategy to prioritize technical capability and mission readiness over socioeconomic preferences, ensuring access to the most qualified entities regardless of business size or certification status. While small business participation is not structurally mandated, her contracts remain accessible to all qualified offerors through full and open competition. Her procurement activity is overwhelmingly concentrated in NAICS 541712, reflecting deep specialization in physical and engineering R&D. She procures advanced materials, propulsion subsystems, adaptive control algorithms, and high-temperature component testing services, aligning with AFRL’s core mission in aerospace innovation and hypersonics. Her expertise lies at the intersection of systems engineering, materials science, and defense acquisition policy.