Darrell Small

Darrell Small serves as a key procurement professional within the Missile Defense Agency (MDA), supporting the acquisition of advanced missile defense systems critical to national security. He manages complex contract actions for high-priority defense programs focused on integrated air and missile defense architectures, including midcourse and terminal-phase interception systems. His work directly enables MDA’s mission to develop, test, and field layered defense capabilities against evolving ballistic missile threats. Small routinely handles full lifecycle acquisitions for guided missile systems, sensor modernization platforms, and command-and-control integration projects, ensuring technical compliance with DoD standards and operational readiness requirements. He maintains consistent working relationships with prime contractors including Lockheed Martin Corp and Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation, partnering with industry leaders to deliver cutting-edge guided weapon systems and space-based sensor technologies. His contracting approach emphasizes long-term collaboration with Tier-1 defense primes with proven track records in missile defense hardware and systems integration. Jacobs Technology Inc. is also a recurring partner, supporting engineering, test, and sustainment services. These relationships reflect a preference for established contractors with deep technical expertise in hypersonics, kinetic interceptors, and battle management systems. Small’s procurement portfolio reflects no set-aside preferences, with 100% of awards issued under full and open competition. This indicates a strategic focus on mission-critical capability delivery over socioeconomic contracting mechanisms, prioritizing technical maturity, system interoperability, and schedule certainty above small business set-asides. His primary procurement focus is centered on NAICS 336414 — Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing — with acquisitions spanning kinetic interceptors, radar guidance systems, launch platforms, and integrated battle management software. He specializes in procuring highly classified, technologically advanced systems requiring stringent security protocols and rapid prototyping cycles, demonstrating deep expertise in aerospace defense manufacturing and systems engineering domains.