Andrew Henson

Andrew Henson serves as a Contract Specialist at the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (HDTRA1), where he plays a critical role in executing acquisitions that support the agency’s mission to counter weapons of mass destruction and mitigate emerging national security threats. He manages the full lifecycle of complex procurements, from requirement development and market research to contract award and administration, with a focus on technical solutions for chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and high-yield explosive defense systems. His portfolio includes contracts for advanced detection technologies, forensic analysis tools, and mission-critical software platforms, ensuring alignment with DoD acquisition regulations and strategic threat reduction objectives. Henson maintains consistent working relationships with a core group of prime contractors including TECHTRANS INTERNATIONAL INC, BATTELLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTE, AERIS LLC, APPLIED RESEARCH ASSOCIATES, INC., and AMAZON WEB SERVICES, INC. These partnerships reflect a blend of defense-oriented engineering firms, federally funded research centers, and cloud infrastructure providers, indicating a reliance on both specialized technical expertise and scalable digital solutions. His procurement approach emphasizes collaboration with vendors capable of delivering rapid innovation, secure data environments, and field-deployable systems under stringent security protocols. Henson’s contracting patterns reflect an even split between open competitions and Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5, demonstrating a deliberate and balanced commitment to fostering competition among small businesses while maintaining access to high-capacity technical providers. He actively promotes small business participation without compromising mission-critical performance, consistently structuring solicitations to enable SBIR-eligible firms and other socioeconomic categories to compete meaningfully. His primary procurement focus is concentrated under NAICS 332439 (Other Metal Container Manufacturing), which, despite its classification, is leveraged in HDTRA1’s context to support specialized containment, shielding, and transport systems for hazardous materials. This reflects a niche but vital application of industrial manufacturing capabilities to safeguard personnel and infrastructure in WMD response operations.