Stephen Gilligan

Stephen Gilligan serves as a Contract Specialist within the FA8656 Aflcmc Ebx, a critical element of the Department of the Air Force focused on accelerating the development and fielding of next-generation strike systems. In this role, he manages the full lifecycle of complex procurement actions for advanced missile systems, hypersonic weapon components, and precision ammunition, ensuring compliance with FAR and DFARS regulations while supporting rapid prototyping and urgent operational needs. His acquisitions span engineering services, guided missile manufacturing, and weapon-aircraft integration, requiring deep technical understanding of defense systems and agile contracting methodologies to meet mission-critical timelines. Gilligan collaborates with a diverse ecosystem of defense industrial base partners, including prime contractors specializing in missile subsystems, aerospace component manufacturing, and systems integration. He routinely engages with firms possessing expertise in guided missile electronics, propulsion systems, and avionics, fostering partnerships that bridge innovation and production readiness. His contracting approach emphasizes performance-based acquisition and risk-sharing mechanisms to support high-technology suppliers capable of meeting stringent defense standards. His procurement patterns reflect a strong preference for open competition, with 93.3% of awards issued without set-asides, indicating a focus on maximizing technical capability and industrial base breadth. Nevertheless, he consistently allocates 6.7% of opportunities to total small business set-asides under FAR 19.5, demonstrating a measured commitment to small business participation without compromising mission requirements. Gilligan’s primary procurement focus centers on NAICS 332993 (ammunition manufacturing), 336419 (guided missile parts), and 336413 (aircraft auxiliary equipment), with significant activity in engineering services (541330) and wireless communications equipment (334220). He specializes in acquiring high-reliability munitions, guidance systems, and embedded avionics critical to hypersonic and precision strike platforms, requiring deep domain knowledge in defense aerospace and ordnance lifecycle management.