Christopher Heck

Christopher Heck serves as a key procurement professional within the Missile Defense Agency, supporting the acquisition of advanced missile defense systems and associated research and development capabilities. He plays a critical role in executing the MDA’s mission to field layered, integrated defenses against ballistic missile threats by managing complex contracts for sensor modernization, guidance system integration, and midcourse/terminal-phase interception technologies. His acquisitions focus on high-priority technical programs requiring rapid innovation, rigorous testing, and systems engineering expertise, often involving cross-domain collaboration between government labs, defense primes, and specialized small businesses. Heck maintains consistent working relationships with leading defense contractors including Lockheed Martin Corporation and Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation, partnering with them on large-scale systems integration and technology maturation efforts. He also collaborates regularly with Jacobs Technology Inc., leveraging their engineering and technical support services to sustain mission-critical test and evaluation infrastructure. His contracting approach emphasizes long-term vendor partnerships grounded in technical rigor, performance-based outcomes, and compliance with defense acquisition regulations. A defining feature of Heck’s procurement strategy is his exclusive use of total small business set-asides under FAR 19.5, ensuring that every contract opportunity is reserved for small businesses. This reflects a strong institutional commitment to fostering innovation through diverse, agile vendors, particularly those certified under 8(a), HUBZone, or SDVOSB programs. His portfolio consistently channels opportunities to small firms capable of delivering niche R&D solutions, enhancing competition and resilience in the missile defense supply chain. His procurement activities are concentrated exclusively under NAICS 541715, reflecting a deep specialization in physical and engineering research and development. He procures advanced capabilities in radar signal processing, kinetic and non-kinetic interceptors, battle management software, and sensor fusion architectures—domains requiring cutting-edge expertise in aerospace systems, electromagnetics, and real-time command and control technologies.