Cassandra C. Haywood

Cassandra C. Haywood serves as a Contract Specialist within the W6QK Acc-rsa office of the Department of the Army, where she plays a pivotal role in executing complex acquisitions to sustain and modernize the U.S. Army’s aerial and missile defense systems. Her responsibilities encompass the full lifecycle of contract management—from solicitation and source selection to award and administration—for mission-critical aerospace technologies. She specializes in procuring guided missile propulsion units, advanced avionics, and sensor systems supporting platforms such as the UH-60 Black Hawk and AH-64 Apache, ensuring technical compliance and operational readiness across high-priority defense programs. Haywood collaborates with a diverse array of defense prime contractors and specialized engineering firms that possess deep expertise in propulsion systems, aerospace R&D, and mission-critical integration. While no single vendor dominates her portfolio, her contracting patterns reflect consistent engagement with Tier 1 defense aerospace manufacturers and niche suppliers capable of meeting stringent military specifications. Her approach emphasizes technical rigor, performance-based outcomes, and strict adherence to Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) standards, fostering long-term partnerships grounded in reliability and innovation. Her procurement strategy reflects a strong preference for full and open competition, with 100% of her acquisitions conducted without set-aside designations. This indicates a focus on technical capability and mission necessity over socioeconomic classifications, prioritizing the most qualified offerors regardless of business size or certification status. While small business participation is not formally incentivized in her portfolio, she remains compliant with all applicable socioeconomic requirements. Haywood’s primary technical focus lies in NAICS 336415 (guided missile and space vehicle propulsion systems) and 541712 (physical and engineering R&D), underscoring her deep engagement with advanced propulsion technologies and cutting-edge defense research. She routinely manages contracts for solid-fuel rocket motors, thrust vector control systems, and integrated avionics architecture development, demonstrating specialized expertise in aerospace engineering and systems integration within the Army’s modernization priorities.