Brenda Burke

Brenda Burke serves as Branch Head and Contracting Officer at the Naval Research Laboratory, where she leads the acquisition strategy for mission-critical scientific and technological capabilities supporting naval and national security objectives. She oversees the full lifecycle of research and development contracts, with a focus on advanced instrumentation, electronic warfare systems, signal processing technologies, and autonomous navigation platforms. Her role ensures that procurement activities align with the Laboratory’s mandate to pioneer foundational innovations in physical sciences and engineering, bridging cutting-edge R&D with practical field deployment for the Department of the Navy. Brenda maintains consistent partnerships with a core group of specialized contractors including Assurance Technology Corp, L3Harris NexGen Communications LLC, Envisioneering Inc, Integration Innovation Inc, and Analex Corporation. These vendors are selected for their technical depth in high-precision sensor systems, RF and electronic component integration, and rapid prototyping of experimental hardware. Her contracting approach emphasizes long-term collaboration with firms possessing proven expertise in classified and unclassified defense R&D environments, fostering agile, performance-based acquisition models that accommodate evolving technical requirements. Her procurement portfolio reflects a strong preference for open competition, with 75% of awards issued without set-aside restrictions. However, she actively supports small business participation, allocating approximately 20% of contracts to total small business set-asides under FAR 19.5 and 5% to service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses, demonstrating a balanced commitment to both innovation and socioeconomic goals. Brenda’s primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 334516 (Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing) and 541712 (R&D in Physical and Engineering Sciences), reflecting her specialization in advanced sensor systems, laboratory-grade instrumentation, and applied research services. She frequently procures custom-developed hardware for signal analysis, navigation guidance, and electronic countermeasure systems, ensuring the Laboratory’s research outputs are translated into deployable, high-reliability maritime technologies.