Aida

Aida serves as a key procurement lead within the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), driving the acquisition of high-risk, high-reward research and development initiatives critical to maintaining U.S. technological superiority. Responsible for managing complex R&D contracts across physical, engineering, and life sciences domains, she facilitates the transition of cutting-edge scientific concepts into operational military capabilities. Her portfolio centers on early-stage innovation programs, often involving rapid prototyping, proof-of-concept validation, and cross-disciplinary collaboration between academia, industry, and government labs. Aida’s work directly supports DARPA’s mission to accelerate breakthrough technologies through agile, mission-driven contracting approaches. She maintains strategic relationships with leading R&D contractors including AEROSPACE & COMMERCIAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC, AMD INTERNATIONAL TECHNOLOGIES LLC, SYSTEMS & TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH LLC, PENNSYLVANIA & SOUTHERN RAILWAY LLC, and ABBOTT LABORATORIES INC., reflecting a focus on firms with deep expertise in autonomous systems, advanced computing, bio-integrated devices, and next-generation materials. Her contracting patterns emphasize technical excellence and innovation capacity over size or certification status, fostering long-term partnerships with organizations capable of delivering transformative solutions under tight timelines and evolving requirements. Aida’s procurement strategy is entirely non-set-aside, with 100% of awards issued under unrestricted competitions. This reflects DARPA’s priority on technical merit and capability over socioeconomic classifications, ensuring the most qualified performers—regardless of business size or certification—are selected to tackle mission-critical challenges. While small business participation is not mandated through set-asides, firms of all sizes are evaluated on technical merit, innovation potential, and execution readiness. Her primary procurement focus is NAICS 541712—Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)—encompassing advanced materials, neuromorphic computing, autonomous platforms, and bio-hybrid systems. She routinely manages contracts for prototype development, sensor integration, computational modeling, and experimental validation, supporting DARPA’s flagship programs such as VITAL, PICASSO, and O-CIRCUI.