Cassandra Pendergraft

Cassandra Pendergraft serves as a Contract Specialist with the Missile Defense Agency (HQ0276), where she plays a critical role in executing complex acquisition strategies for advanced missile defense systems. Responsible for managing the full lifecycle of procurements—from market research and solicitation development to contract award and administration—she ensures alignment with national security objectives and DoD acquisition regulations. Her portfolio primarily encompasses research and development contracts for kinetic and non-kinetic countermeasure technologies, including sensor architectures, command-and-control systems, and interceptor platforms, supporting the MDA’s mission to defend against evolving ballistic and hypersonic threats. Pendergraft collaborates with a diverse range of defense contractors, including prime systems integrators and specialized engineering firms with deep expertise in aerospace, radar, and missile guidance technologies. While no single contractor dominates her portfolio, she consistently engages with vendors possessing proven capabilities in high-fidelity modeling, systems integration, and operational testing. Her contracting approach emphasizes technical rigor, risk mitigation, and performance-based outcomes, fostering long-term partnerships with firms capable of delivering cutting-edge solutions under stringent defense standards. Her procurement patterns reflect a strong preference for unrestricted competition, with 100% of her acquisitions conducted under open, non-set-aside solicitations. This reflects the highly specialized, classified, and time-sensitive nature of missile defense R&D, where technical capability and security clearance requirements often preclude socioeconomic set-asides. While small business participation is not formally prioritized in her portfolio, she ensures compliance with all applicable small business goals through subcontracting plans and mentor-protégé arrangements when contract structure permits. Pendergraft’s primary procurement focus lies within NAICS 541712, directing over 83% of her acquisitions toward physical and engineering research and development. She specializes in procuring advanced technologies including hypersonic threat detection, midcourse intercept systems, and integrated battle management architectures, requiring deep domain knowledge in defense systems engineering, signal processing, and live-fire test evaluation. Her expertise ensures that the MDA maintains technological superiority through strategic, technically sound contracting.