Lewis J. Ratleff

Lewis J. Ratleff, as an A1C within the FA3099 47 Conf Cc under the Department of the Air Force, supports mission-critical infrastructure resilience by managing procurement actions for construction, engineering, and specialized technical services essential to airfield and facility sustainment. His role involves executing contracting actions aligned with Air Force base readiness objectives, ensuring timely delivery of capital improvements and operational support through compliant, performance-based acquisitions. He handles a diverse portfolio of contracts spanning facility modernization, communications equipment, and security systems, often coordinating with engineering and logistics teams to align procurement with installation-wide strategic priorities. Ratleff maintains consistent working relationships with key contractors including AR6 CONSTRUCTION & ENGINEERING, LLC and HORSEPOWER GEOSPATIAL LLC, indicating a focus on firms capable of delivering complex construction, geospatial analysis, and infrastructure support services. His contracting patterns suggest a preference for established vendors with proven expertise in military-grade facility upgrades and precision geospatial solutions, reflecting a reliance on technical proficiency and past performance in high-stakes operational environments. His procurement strategy demonstrates a strong commitment to small business participation, with over half of his awards structured as Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5. This reflects a deliberate effort to foster economic opportunity within the defense industrial base while ensuring access to agile, specialized capabilities. His pattern of alternating between set-aside and open competitions suggests a balanced approach—prioritizing small business inclusion without compromising mission flexibility. Ratleff’s primary NAICS focus includes wired telecommunications carriers, communications equipment manufacturing, and measuring and controlling device manufacturing, indicating a technical emphasis on mission-critical communication systems, sensor networks, and control infrastructure. He also procures fabricated structural metal components and security systems services, underscoring expertise in integrated facility hardening and physical security modernization. His domain knowledge centers on sustaining aviation operational readiness through resilient, technologically advanced infrastructure solutions.