Teresa Chaleunphonh

Teresa Chaleunphonh serves as a Contracting Specialist within the Air Force Research Laboratory’s RDK division (FA9451), where she plays a critical role in acquiring advanced research and development services to support national security and air dominance. She manages the full lifecycle of complex procurements focused on directed energy, electro-optics, laser systems, and advanced instrumentation, ensuring alignment with the lab’s strategic mission to pioneer next-generation aerospace technologies. Her acquisitions primarily involve competitive sealed bidding and negotiated contracts under FAR Part 15, emphasizing technical merit, innovation, and mission readiness. Teresa collaborates with a diverse array of defense contractors and research institutions specializing in physical sciences, engineering, and computational modeling. While no single vendor dominates her portfolio, she consistently engages with firms possessing deep expertise in laser vulnerability analysis, optical system design, and high-performance computing. Her contracting approach prioritizes technical capability over volume, fostering long-term partnerships with organizations that demonstrate proven innovation in classified and unclassified R&D environments. Her procurement patterns reflect a strong preference for open competition, with 100% of her acquisitions designated as “No Set-Aside.” This indicates a focus on selecting the most technically qualified offerors regardless of socioeconomic status, aligning with the specialized, high-acuity nature of RDK’s mission-critical work. While small business participation is not formally prioritized through set-asides, she remains compliant with all applicable small business goals and may include them as subcontractors when their technical capabilities align with project requirements. Teresa’s primary NAICS focus is 541712—Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences—comprising two-thirds of her portfolio, with a secondary emphasis on 541512, Computer Systems Design Services. She procures advanced simulation tools, laser diagnostics, real-time data acquisition systems, and custom software for electro-optical testing, demonstrating deep technical fluency in aerospace defense R&D domains.