Shawn D. Capehart

Shawn D. Capehart serves as a key procurement lead within the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Rocket Propulsion Division (FA9453), where he oversees the acquisition of advanced research and development services critical to U.S. space superiority. His role centers on facilitating rapid prototyping and foundational innovation in space systems, resilient computing architectures, and high-performance instrumentation. Capehart manages a portfolio of contracts focused on engineering research, systems integration, and experimental testbed development, ensuring alignment with the Air Force’s strategic priorities in space domain awareness, autonomous satellite operations, and next-generation propulsion technologies. He works closely with technical teams to translate mission needs into precise solicitation requirements and contract deliverables. Capehart’s contractor relationships are primarily with defense aerospace primes, specialized R&D firms, and university-affiliated research centers engaged in classified and unclassified space technology development. He fosters long-term partnerships with vendors possessing deep expertise in hypersonics, propulsion diagnostics, and space-qualified computing, often leveraging Other Transaction Authority (OTA) and Basic Ordering Agreements to accelerate innovation cycles. His procurement approach emphasizes agility, technical rigor, and performance-based outcomes over traditional fixed-price models. Capehart’s contracting patterns reflect a strong preference for open competition, with 100% of awards issued without set-aside designations. While he does not routinely prioritize 8(a), HUBZone, or SDVOSB programs, his focus remains on securing the most technically capable performers, regardless of socioeconomic status, to meet mission-critical timelines and performance thresholds. His primary procurement focus is on NAICS 541715—Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences—encompassing advanced propulsion modeling, space-based sensor development, and autonomous control algorithms. He routinely procures high-fidelity simulation tools, prototype hardware, and data analytics services tailored to space system validation and rapid technology maturation.