Steve Shields

Steve Shields serves as a key procurement lead within the FA8118 unit of the Department of the Air Force, responsible for managing complex acquisitions to sustain and modernize critical aerospace systems. His work centers on ensuring the airworthiness of legacy and active-duty platforms—including the B-52, KC-135, E-3, T-38, and B-1—through the remanufacture, overhaul, and limited new manufacture of high-integrity components such as fuel pumps, servo-cylinders, actuators, and gearboxes. He oversees full lifecycle contracting for mission-critical aerospace parts, ensuring compliance with military specifications and technical airworthiness standards. His acquisitions are strategically aligned with the agency’s mission to extend service life and maintain operational readiness without full platform replacement. Shields maintains long-standing relationships with specialized defense contractors including MOOG MILITARY AIRCRAFT LLC, AMD INTERNATIONAL TECHNOLOGIES LLC, TEXAS AEROSPACE SERVICES INC, AEROCOREX LLC, and UNITED DYNAMICS, INC. These vendors are recognized for their expertise in precision aerospace component remanufacturing, non-destructive testing, and certified overhaul processes. His contracting approach emphasizes technical capability, quality assurance, and supply chain reliability, often resulting in repeat engagements with vendors who demonstrate consistent adherence to military standards and rapid turnaround on critical spare parts. Shields’ procurement portfolio reflects a strict focus on full and open competition, with 100% of awards issued under no set-aside classifications. While small business participation is not mandated through socioeconomic set-asides, he ensures competitive fairness by requiring all vendors to meet rigorous technical and quality benchmarks, enabling capable small businesses to compete on merit. His primary procurement activity falls under NAICS 336413—Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing—reflecting deep expertise in procuring flight-critical subsystems, hydraulic and electro-mechanical components, and certified replacement parts for aging military aircraft fleets. His technical domain knowledge spans aerospace materials, FAA and MIL-SPEC compliance, and reverse engineering of obsolete components to maintain fleet readiness.