Sarah McCabe

Sarah McCabe serves as a key procurement lead within the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Propulsion Directorate, supporting the development and integration of next-generation aerospace propulsion systems, hypersonic technologies, and high-performance functional materials. She manages complex research and engineering contracts aligned with the agency’s mission to sustain U.S. air and space dominance through advanced technological innovation. Her acquisitions primarily focus on technical consulting, systems analysis, and specialized engineering services that bridge fundamental research with operational capability development, ensuring rapid transition of laboratory breakthroughs into mission-ready solutions. McCabe maintains consistent 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 system design, materials science, and flight control integration. Her procurement approach emphasizes technical rigor and performance-based outcomes, often engaging vendors through competitive sealed bidding and research collaboration agreements to ensure innovation and mission alignment. There is no set-aside preference in her portfolio, with 100% of awards issued under full and open competition. This reflects a strategic emphasis on accessing the broadest possible pool of technical expertise rather than socioeconomic set-asides, prioritizing capability and readiness over socioeconomic categorization. While small business participation is not formally incentivized in her contracting patterns, vendor selection remains driven by technical merit and proven track records in high-stakes defense R&D environments. Her procurement activity is concentrated in NAICS 541611 (Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services) and 541690 (Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services), underscoring a heavy reliance on specialized engineering advisory services. She also procures custom computer programming and technical investigative services to support systems integration and compliance. Her domain expertise centers on propulsion systems, adaptive flight controls, and advanced composite materials, making her a critical link between laboratory innovation and operational Air Force requirements.