Alice Pursell

Darrell R. Compton serves as a key procurement lead at NASA Johnson Space Center, where he manages acquisitions critical to advancing human spaceflight systems and life sciences research. His role centers on securing specialized support services for crewed mission operations, including spacecraft systems integration, microgravity physiology research infrastructure, and radiation biology capabilities. Compton oversees a portfolio of non-traditional aerospace contracts, primarily focused on technical support activities that enable mission-critical operations in low Earth orbit and beyond. He ensures alignment with NASA’s strategic priorities by acquiring high-integrity, mission-specific solutions that meet rigorous spaceflight safety and performance standards. Compton maintains consistent working relationships with a select group of contractors, including Sierra Space Corp for advanced space habitat and propulsion support, Aspera Biomedicines, Inc. for life science payload development, and Single Crystal Diamond Inc. for radiation-hardened sensor components. He also collaborates with Wright & Dalbin Architects Inc. for specialized facility design supporting human spaceflight research. His contracting approach emphasizes long-term technical partnerships with firms possessing deep domain expertise in space-environment systems, prioritizing vendors with proven capabilities in aerospace-grade engineering and life sciences innovation. Compton demonstrates a steadfast commitment to small business participation, with 100% of his acquisitions structured as total small business set-asides under FAR 19.5. This reflects a deliberate strategy to cultivate innovation from niche, high-specialization firms that may lack large-scale infrastructure but offer unique technical solutions critical to NASA’s mission. His contracting patterns consistently prioritize small businesses with relevant aerospace, biomedical, or advanced materials expertise, reinforcing NASA’s broader socioeconomic goals while ensuring access to cutting-edge capabilities. His procurement focus is exclusively under NAICS 488190 (Other Support Activities for Air Transportation), which encompasses mission-critical services such as spacecraft systems integration, ground support operations, and life science payload logistics. These acquisitions support the development and sustainment of human spaceflight systems, including guidance and control technologies, microgravity research platforms, and radiation mitigation infrastructure essential for lunar and deep space missions.