Wayne W Zitzka

Wayne W. Zitzka serves as a key procurement professional within the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Rocket Propulsion Division (FA9453), supporting the development and acquisition of next-generation space and aerospace technologies. He manages complex research and development contracts aligned with the Department of the Air Force’s strategic priorities in space domain awareness, resilient computing architectures, and high-performance instrumentation. His acquisitions focus on foundational scientific research and rapid prototyping initiatives critical to advancing autonomous space operations and next-generation satellite communications systems, ensuring U.S. technological superiority in the space domain. Zitzka collaborates with a diverse ecosystem of research institutions, defense contractors, and specialized engineering firms engaged in advanced propulsion, space systems, and high-fidelity modeling and simulation. While specific contractor names are not publicly disclosed, his procurement patterns indicate consistent engagement with entities possessing deep expertise in physical sciences, aerospace systems engineering, and experimental instrumentation. His working relationships emphasize technical capability over scale, favoring agile, innovation-driven vendors capable of delivering rapid prototyping and proof-of-concept solutions under tight developmental timelines. Zitzka demonstrates a strong preference for open competition, with 83.3% of acquisitions conducted without set-aside restrictions, reflecting the high technical specificity and national security sensitivity of the work. However, he actively supports small business participation, with 16.7% of awards designated as total small business set-asides under FAR 19.5, indicating a measured but intentional commitment to fostering innovation from emerging aerospace and engineering firms. His procurement portfolio is exclusively focused on NAICS 541712—Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences—underscoring his specialization in advanced scientific R&D. He procures cutting-edge capabilities including rocket propulsion systems, space-qualified sensors, computational modeling tools, and autonomous control architectures, requiring vendors with proven expertise in hypersonics, plasma dynamics, and space-environment testing. His technical acumen ensures acquisitions align with AFRL’s mission to transition laboratory breakthroughs into operational space systems.