David Baer

David Baer serves as a Contract Specialist for the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (HDTRA1), where he plays a critical role in executing complex acquisitions to support national security missions centered on countering weapons of mass destruction. He manages the full lifecycle of contracts for scientific, technical, and operational services, ensuring alignment with the agency’s strategic priorities in chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and high-yield explosive threat mitigation. His acquisitions typically involve advanced analytical systems, forensic capabilities, and cloud-enabled threat intelligence platforms, requiring deep technical understanding and compliance with Department of Defense procurement regulations. Baer maintains consistent working relationships with leading technical and research contractors, including TECHTRANS INTERNATIONAL INC, BATTELLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTE, AERIS LLC, APPLIED RESEARCH ASSOCIATES, INC., and AMAZON WEB SERVICES, INC. These partnerships reflect a preference for established firms with proven expertise in defense science, cybersecurity infrastructure, and mission-critical systems integration. His contracting approach emphasizes performance-based outcomes, risk mitigation, and technical innovation, fostering long-term collaborations grounded in rigorous evaluation and compliance. Baer’s procurement portfolio is entirely non-set-aside, with 100% of awards issued under full and open competition. This reflects a strategic focus on accessing the broadest possible pool of technical capability rather than socioeconomic set-asides, prioritizing mission readiness and specialized expertise over socioeconomic categories. While small business participation is not formally incentivized in his portfolio, vendors of all sizes compete on technical merit and past performance. His primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 541519 (Other Computer Related Services), encompassing data analytics, cloud computing, and AI-driven threat modeling; NAICS 541330 (Engineering Services) for systems design and technical integration; NAICS 519130 (Data Processing and Hosting Services); and NAICS 811219 (Other Technical and Industrial Services). These categories underscore his specialization in advanced computing, cyber-enabled defense systems, and scientific support services critical to HDTRA1’s mission.