Avery P. Stevenson

Avery P. Stevenson serves as a key procurement lead at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, overseeing the acquisition of advanced research and development services critical to the agency’s mission in space science and Earth observation. Responsible for managing complex technical contracts, Stevenson specializes in securing cutting-edge engineering and scientific capabilities for spacecraft instrumentation, remote sensing systems, and deep-space communication networks. Their procurement activities directly support Goddard’s strategic priorities in next-generation Earth observation platforms and space weather monitoring, ensuring the agency maintains technological leadership through rigorous, performance-based contracting practices. Stevenson maintains consistent partnerships with high-caliber research and technology providers, most notably the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Lincoln Laboratory and Aerospace & Commercial Technologies, LLC. These relationships reflect a preference for mission-critical, innovation-driven vendors with proven expertise in aerospace systems integration, sensor development, and data processing architectures. The contracting approach emphasizes long-term collaboration, technical rigor, and performance accountability, often involving cost-reimbursement and time-and-materials instruments to accommodate the unpredictable nature of space-based R&D. Stevenson’s procurement portfolio shows no use of socioeconomic set-asides, with 100% of awards issued under full and open competition. This reflects a mission-first procurement philosophy prioritizing technical excellence and mission readiness over socioeconomic preferences, aligning with NASA’s unique requirements for highly specialized, non-commercial capabilities that few small businesses can currently provide. The primary NAICS classification underpinning all acquisitions is 541715—Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences—indicating a laser focus on advanced scientific and engineering services. Stevenson procures services including orbital payload design, calibration algorithms, radiation-hardened electronics development, and ground data systems integration, supporting Goddard’s role as a national hub for space-based scientific discovery.