Cheryl Loper

Cheryl Loper serves as a Contracting Officer for the Missile Defense Agency (MDA), where she plays a pivotal role in executing strategic acquisitions that support the development and fielding of integrated missile defense systems. Responsible for managing the full lifecycle of contract actions—from solicitation and source selection to award and administration—she ensures compliance with federal acquisition regulations while advancing MDA’s mission to protect the U.S. and allied forces from ballistic missile threats. Her portfolio primarily encompasses complex systems integration, sensor modernization, and guided weapon technology procurement, often involving high-stakes, technically demanding requirements across midcourse and terminal-phase defense architectures. Loper maintains strong, ongoing relationships with prime contractors including Lockheed Martin Corporation and Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation, reflecting her focus on large-scale defense systems integration. She also collaborates regularly with Jacobs Technology Inc., leveraging their engineering and technical support capabilities to sustain operational readiness. Her contracting patterns emphasize long-term, performance-based partnerships with industry leaders capable of delivering mission-critical technologies under stringent security and compliance standards. A defining feature of Loper’s procurement strategy is her exclusive use of Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5, demonstrating a steadfast commitment to socioeconomic diversity in defense contracting. Every solicitation she manages is structured to maximize participation by small businesses, ensuring equitable access to high-impact missile defense opportunities regardless of firm size. This approach aligns with MDA’s broader goals of fostering innovation through a diverse supplier base. Her primary procurement focus is on NAICS 561612 (Security Guards and Patrol Services), indicating a significant emphasis on physical security, site protection, and infrastructure safeguarding for sensitive missile defense facilities and test ranges. While seemingly distinct from high-tech weapon systems, this specialization underscores the critical need for robust, layered security protocols to protect the nation’s missile defense assets, reflecting her deep understanding of the operational ecosystem supporting strategic defense missions.