Chanda Tallman

Chanda Tallman serves as a Contract Specialist within the Missile Defense Agency (MDA), where she plays a critical role in executing complex acquisition strategies for advanced missile defense systems. Responsible for managing the full lifecycle of contracts—from requirements definition and solicitation to award and administration—Tallman supports the MDA’s mission to develop, test, and field integrated, layered defense architectures. Her portfolio primarily encompasses research and development contracts focused on midcourse and terminal-phase interception technologies, sensor modernization, and guided weapon system integration, ensuring alignment with national security priorities and technical innovation. Tallman maintains consistent procurement relationships with leading defense prime contractors, including Lockheed Martin Corp and Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation, as well as Jacobs Technology Inc. These partnerships are centered on high-technology engineering services, systems integration, and advanced prototyping efforts critical to missile defense architecture development. Her contracting approach emphasizes performance-based outcomes, technical risk mitigation, and stringent compliance with DoD acquisition regulations, fostering long-term collaborations with vendors capable of delivering mission-critical capabilities under tight developmental timelines. Tallman’s contracting activity reflects a 100% focus on full and open competition, with no set-asides designated for 8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB, or other socioeconomic categories. This reflects the highly specialized nature of MDA’s technical requirements, where only a limited pool of qualified industry partners possesses the necessary clearance levels, systems engineering expertise, and classified infrastructure to support national missile defense programs. Her primary procurement focus is on NAICS 541712—Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)—reflecting her deep engagement in advanced defense R&D. She procures services related to radar signal processing, kinetic and non-kinetic interceptors, battle management command and control systems, and hypersonic threat modeling, ensuring the MDA maintains technological superiority against evolving ballistic and hypersonic missile threats.