Trisha Buddelmeyer

Trisha Buddelmeyer serves as a Contracting Negotiator within the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Propulsion Directorate (FA8650), where she plays a pivotal role in securing advanced aerospace technologies critical to U.S. air and space dominance. She manages complex acquisition strategies for research and development contracts focused on next-generation propulsion systems, hypersonic flight technologies, and high-performance functional materials. Her work ensures timely delivery of mission-critical innovations by aligning contractual terms with technical requirements, risk mitigation, and federal acquisition regulations. She routinely handles sole-source and competitive negotiated procurements under FAR Part 15, emphasizing technical merit and performance-based outcomes. Buddelmeyer maintains consistent working 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 characterized by long-term collaboration on high-complexity R&D projects requiring deep technical integration, intellectual property management, and iterative prototyping. Her negotiation approach prioritizes technical feasibility, supply chain resilience, and innovation incentives, fostering trusted vendor relationships that support rapid technology transition from lab to field. Her procurement portfolio reflects a strict focus on open competition, with 100% of awards issued under no set-aside conditions. This reflects the specialized, high-technical nature of the work, where only a limited number of vendors possess the requisite expertise in propulsion systems, hypersonics, and advanced materials. While small business participation is not mandated through socioeconomic set-asides, she actively encourages collaboration through teaming arrangements and subcontracting opportunities within prime contracts. Buddelmeyer’s acquisitions are exclusively classified under NAICS 541712—Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences—reflecting her specialization in fundamental and applied engineering research. She procures services related to computational fluid dynamics, adaptive flight control systems, ceramic matrix composites, and propulsion system integration, supporting the Air Force’s strategic imperative to maintain technological superiority in next-generation aerospace platforms.