Steven Pepper

Steven A. Pepper serves as a Contract Specialist within the FA2823 AFTC PZIO under the Department of the Air Force, where he manages the acquisition of mission-critical test and evaluation systems for airborne and ground-based sensing, electronic warfare, and signal intelligence platforms. His responsibilities include developing, negotiating, and administering complex contracts for advanced avionics, electromagnetic compatibility infrastructure, and precision instrumentation, ensuring alignment with aerospace readiness objectives. He plays a pivotal role in executing procurements that modernize test infrastructure and support the integration of next-generation defense technologies across the Air Force’s technical enterprise. Pepper maintains consistent working relationships with a select group of contractors including TOM HAMMONDS ENTERPRISES, LLC, STREET LEGAL INDUSTRIES, INC, SPEEGLE CONSTRUCTION, INC, DETECT INC, and THE CONTROLS COMPANY, LLC. These partnerships reflect a blend of specialized engineering, construction, and systems integration capabilities essential to sustaining and upgrading test ranges and instrumentation networks. His procurement approach emphasizes technical proficiency and performance-based outcomes, fostering long-term vendor collaboration on high-stakes, mission-essential projects. His contracting patterns show a strong preference for open competition, with 75% of awards issued without set-aside designations, while 25% are competitively awarded under the 8(a) Business Development Program. This reflects a balanced commitment to leveraging small business innovation while prioritizing technical capability and schedule reliability for time-sensitive aerospace programs. Pepper’s procurement portfolio is concentrated in four key NAICS categories: 238210 (electrical and wiring installation), 238160 (roofing), 332993 (ammunition manufacturing), and 336414 (guided missile and space vehicle manufacturing). These reflect the diverse physical and technical infrastructure needs of test ranges—from facility construction to ordnance handling systems and advanced guidance system integration—demonstrating his expertise in managing multi-domain acquisitions that support the full lifecycle of aerospace test and evaluation operations.