Timothy Kramer

Timothy Kramer serves as a Contracts Negotiator for the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Propulsion Directorate (FA8650), where he plays a pivotal role in securing advanced aerospace technologies critical to U.S. air and space dominance. He specializes in negotiating complex research and development contracts focused on next-generation propulsion systems, hypersonic flight technologies, and high-performance functional materials. His work directly supports the agency’s mission to accelerate the transition of foundational science into operational capabilities, overseeing acquisitions that bridge laboratory innovation with field-deployable solutions. Kramer handles a diverse portfolio of prime contracts, primarily in engineering R&D and advanced manufacturing, ensuring compliance with federal acquisition regulations while fostering technical excellence. Kramer maintains longstanding partnerships with leading aerospace and defense contractors including UES INC, General Electric Company, DCS Corporation, Spirit Aerosystems Inc, and Advanced Thermoplastic Composites LLC. These relationships reflect a consistent focus on industry leaders with proven expertise in propulsion systems, adaptive flight controls, and composite material development. His negotiation approach emphasizes technical rigor, performance-based outcomes, and long-term collaboration, often engaging contractors early in the requirements definition phase to align innovation with mission needs and acquisition timelines. Kramer’s contracting portfolio exhibits no set-aside preferences, with 100% of awards issued under full and open competition. This reflects the highly specialized nature of the technologies procured, where only a limited pool of vendors possesses the requisite technical capabilities, facilities, and security clearances. While small business participation is not formally prioritized through socioeconomic set-asides, the agency’s structure inherently supports innovation through established prime contractors who often subcontract specialized work to qualified small firms. His primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 541715 and 541712, encompassing physical and engineering R&D for propulsion and materials science, with additional activity in petrochemical manufacturing, explosives production, and specialized metal fabrication. These domains require deep technical understanding of combustion dynamics, thermal management systems, and high-strength composite structures, positioning Kramer as a key liaison between scientific researchers and industrial partners advancing next-generation aerospace propulsion.