Thomas Young

Thomas V. Young serves as a Contracting Officer within the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Propulsion Directorate (FA8650), where he manages complex research and development acquisitions critical to advancing U.S. aerospace propulsion, hypersonics, and high-performance materials. His portfolio focuses on securing innovative technical solutions that support next-generation flight systems, adaptive control technologies, and mission-critical functional materials. He oversees full lifecycle contracting for scientific and engineering services, including prototype development, materials characterization, and systems integration, ensuring alignment with DoD innovation priorities and technical readiness goals. Young maintains strategic relationships with leading aerospace and defense contractors including UES INC, General Electric Company, DCS Corporation, Spirit Aerosystems Inc., and Advanced Thermoplastic Composites LLC. These partnerships are centered on high-technical-risk, mission-essential R&D efforts requiring deep domain expertise in propulsion systems, composite manufacturing, and computational fluid dynamics. His contracting approach emphasizes performance-based outcomes, technical merit, and collaboration with industry partners capable of delivering cutting-edge solutions under stringent aerospace standards. Young’s procurement activity is exclusively classified under the No Set-Aside category, reflecting a mission-driven focus on technical capability over socioeconomic preferences. While small business participation is not formally prioritized through set-asides, his contracts often involve small business subcontractors embedded within prime contractor teams, particularly in specialized materials and systems integration roles. His acquisitions are uniformly categorized under NAICS 541712—Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)—highlighting his specialization in fundamental and applied R&D for aerospace propulsion. He procures advanced engineering services, experimental testbed development, hypersonic component validation, and novel material synthesis, ensuring the Air Force maintains technological superiority in air and space dominance domains.