Wes Alexander

Wes Alexander serves as the WFIRST Instrument Carrier Lead, responsible for overseeing the acquisition and integration of critical space-based instrumentation systems for NASA’s Wide Field Infrared Survey Telescope program. In this technical leadership role, he manages the end-to-end procurement lifecycle for complex space vehicle subsystems, ensuring alignment with mission objectives, technical specifications, and systems engineering requirements. His acquisitions focus on high-reliability hardware and auxiliary equipment essential to the carrier structure that supports scientific instruments in deep-space environments, making him a pivotal figure in advancing NASA’s astrophysics capabilities through strategic sourcing and technical contract oversight. Alexander’s contractor relationships are primarily with specialized aerospace and defense manufacturers possessing deep expertise in precision space hardware fabrication, thermal control systems, and radiation-hardened avionics. He collaborates closely with firms that demonstrate proven track records in NASA’s rigorous qualification processes, including those certified under AS9100 and ISO 14001 standards. His procurement approach emphasizes technical competence, heritage performance, and adherence to NASA’s spaceflight safety protocols, fostering long-term partnerships with vendors capable of delivering mission-critical components under stringent environmental and reliability constraints. Alexander’s contracting activity reflects a 100% focus on non-set-aside procurements, indicating a primary emphasis on technical capability and mission readiness over socioeconomic preferences. While small business participation is not formally prioritized in his portfolio, he maintains compliance with all federal acquisition regulations and evaluates vendors based on technical merit, production capacity, and systems integration experience. His procurement domain is exclusively centered on NAICS 336419—Other Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing—reflecting his deep specialization in space vehicle subsystems, structural carriers, instrument mounting interfaces, and thermal management components essential to space telescope platforms. His expertise lies at the intersection of aerospace engineering and federal acquisition, ensuring that mission-critical hardware meets the exacting standards of spaceflight.