David Baer

David Baer serves as a Contract Specialist at the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (HDTRA1), where he plays a pivotal role in executing mission-critical acquisitions to counter weapons of mass destruction and emerging national security threats. He manages the full lifecycle of professional services contracts, from requirements definition and market research to award and contract administration, ensuring alignment with DTRA’s scientific and technical mission. His portfolio primarily supports advanced research, threat analysis, and operational capability development in chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and high-yield explosive domains, often involving complex, high-consequence technical solutions. Baer maintains strategic relationships with leading technical service providers including TECHTRANS INTERNATIONAL INC, BATTELLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTE, AERIS LLC, APPLIED RESEARCH ASSOCIATES, INC., and AMAZON WEB SERVICES, INC. These partnerships reflect a consistent focus on leveraging specialized scientific expertise, advanced modeling and simulation, and cloud-based analytical platforms to enhance threat detection and response capabilities. His contracting approach emphasizes long-term collaboration with vendors possessing deep domain knowledge and proven technical rigor in defense and national security contexts. He demonstrates an unwavering commitment to small business participation, with 100% of his acquisitions structured as total small business set-asides under FAR 19.5. This pattern underscores a deliberate strategy to cultivate innovation and capacity within the small business community, ensuring diverse, agile, and responsive support for DTRA’s evolving mission needs. His contracting practices consistently prioritize socioeconomic programs that expand access for small, technically capable firms. Baer’s procurement focus is exclusively centered on NAICS 541990—All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services—encompassing advanced R&D, forensic analysis, threat intelligence systems, and specialized engineering support. His work demands deep familiarity with interdisciplinary scientific services, including data analytics, sensor development, and WMD mitigation technologies, making him a key enabler of DTRA’s mission to safeguard national security through cutting-edge technical acquisition.