Stephen Makowsky

Stephen Makowsky serves as a key procurement lead within the FA2518 USSF SPOC/SAIO, supporting the Department of the Air Force’s mission to modernize space domain capabilities. He manages complex acquisitions for engineering and telecommunications services critical to space-based surveillance, satellite communications, and electromagnetic warfare systems. His work ensures the sustained operational readiness of resilient space architectures in contested environments, focusing on technical solutions that enhance space domain awareness and secure communications. Makowsky handles task and delivery order contracts under indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) vehicles, prioritizing agile, mission-critical service delivery over commoditized procurement. He maintains strong, ongoing relationships with specialized contractors including Keystone Mission Solutions Corp, Riverside Research Institute, and Bowhead Information Technology Service LLC, all of which provide advanced engineering, systems integration, and cyber-resilient telecom solutions. These partnerships reflect a preference for technically proficient vendors with deep expertise in space systems and classified environments, often leveraging long-term contract vehicles to enable rapid response to evolving operational needs. Makowsky’s contracting approach emphasizes performance-based outcomes and continuous innovation through established vendor collaboration. His procurement strategy is heavily skewed toward small business participation, with 75% of awards designated as total small business set-asides under FAR 19.5. This reflects a deliberate commitment to fostering competition among qualified small entities capable of delivering niche space and telecommunications services. While no other socioeconomic set-asides are predominant, the consistent use of small business set-asides underscores a strategic effort to build a robust, agile supplier base aligned with national security innovation goals. Makowsky’s primary NAICS focus is 541330 (Engineering Services), accounting for 75% of his portfolio, with a secondary emphasis on 517810 (All Other Telecommunications). He procures specialized services including satellite ground system design, signal processing, spectrum management, and secure network architecture, reflecting deep technical expertise in space communications and electronic warfare support systems. His acquisitions directly enable the USSF’s mission to maintain overmatch in the space domain through cutting-edge, mission-tailored engineering and telecom solutions.