Darlene L Schmidt

Darlene L. Schmidt serves as a key procurement professional responsible for managing complex acquisitions in advanced engineering and scientific research domains. She plays a critical role in executing the agency’s mission to secure cutting-edge capabilities in aerospace systems and applied R&D, overseeing the full lifecycle of contract actions from solicitation to award and administration. Her portfolio primarily includes high-technology procurements requiring specialized technical expertise, particularly in guided missile systems, space vehicle development, and physical sciences research. Schmidt ensures compliance with federal acquisition regulations while aligning procurement strategies with national security and innovation objectives. Her contractor relationships center on prime contractors with deep domain expertise in aerospace manufacturing and defense-related R&D, including firms experienced in propulsion systems, guidance technologies, and space vehicle integration. She engages with a mix of large defense primes and qualified small businesses, fostering collaborative partnerships that emphasize technical capability, past performance, and regulatory compliance. Her contracting approach prioritizes competitive bidding while maintaining rigorous oversight of technical requirements and delivery timelines. Schmidt demonstrates a strong commitment to socioeconomic contracting, with 40% of her awards designated as Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5, reflecting a deliberate strategy to expand opportunities for small businesses in high-barrier technical sectors. While the majority of her acquisitions remain open to all competitors, she actively promotes small business participation through targeted outreach and clear solicitation language that encourages responsive, capable vendors. Her patterns indicate a balanced approach to fostering competition while advancing equitable access to federal contracts. Her primary focus lies in NAICS 541712 for physical and engineering R&D and NAICS 336414/336415 for guided missile and propulsion systems manufacturing. She procures advanced engineering services, prototype development, test and evaluation systems, and specialized components critical to national defense and space exploration programs. Her expertise spans systems engineering, propulsion technology, and applied scientific research, positioning her as a specialist in high-stakes, technically complex procurements within the aerospace and defense sector.