Sarah Thigpen

Sarah Thigpen serves as a key procurement professional within the FA8121 office of the Department of the Air Force, responsible for managing complex acquisitions related to the sustainment and modernization of military aircraft propulsion systems. She specializes in contracting for flight-critical turbine engine components, particularly those supporting the F100 engine series, ensuring operational readiness of fighter and bomber fleets. Her portfolio includes repair, overhaul, and production contracts for high-performance aerospace systems, requiring deep technical oversight and compliance with defense acquisition regulations. Thigpen’s work directly supports the Air Force’s mission to maintain air superiority through reliable, mission-capable propulsion platforms. Thigpen maintains strategic relationships with a select group of Tier 1 defense aerospace contractors and specialized engineering firms capable of meeting stringent military specifications for turbine blade fabrication, combustion chamber refurbishment, and control system integration. Her contracting patterns reflect a preference for established industrial base partners with AS9100 certification and prior experience on classified propulsion programs. She consistently engages vendors with proven track records in reverse engineering legacy components and implementing advanced manufacturing techniques such as additive manufacturing for flight-certified parts. Her procurement strategy prioritizes open competition, with 91.4% of awards issued under unrestricted solicitation. While small business participation is modest, she actively utilizes Total Small Business Set-Asides and 8(a) competed contracts, demonstrating targeted support for qualified disadvantaged and small businesses capable of meeting technical and security requirements. Her socioeconomic contracting approach balances mission necessity with federal mandates, ensuring compliance without compromising performance standards. Thigpen’s primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 336412 (Aircraft Engine and Engine Parts Manufacturing) and 336413 (Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing), reflecting deep expertise in turbine engine subsystems, fuel control units, and high-temperature alloy components. She also procures supporting engineering services and specialized maintenance logistics, ensuring end-to-end lifecycle support for critical propulsion systems. Her domain knowledge spans metallurgy, gas dynamics, and military aviation maintenance protocols.