David S. Hettich

David S. Hettich serves as a Contracting Officer at the Missile Defense Agency (MDA), where he plays a critical role in acquiring advanced defense technologies essential to the nation’s layered missile defense architecture. He manages complex, high-stakes procurements spanning engineering services and research and development in physical and engineering sciences, supporting the development of midcourse and terminal-phase interception systems, sensor modernization, and integrated weapon system integration. His acquisitions directly enable MDA’s mission to field operational capabilities against evolving ballistic missile threats, requiring rigorous technical evaluation, risk mitigation, and compliance with defense acquisition regulations. Hettich maintains sustained contracting relationships with industry leaders including Lockheed Martin Corp and Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation, partnering with these prime contractors to deliver integrated missile defense solutions. He also routinely engages Jacobs Technology Inc. for technical support and systems engineering services. His procurement patterns reflect a preference for established defense primes with proven capabilities in systems integration, advanced radar technologies, and guidance systems, fostering long-term, mission-critical vendor partnerships grounded in technical excellence and program continuity. Hettich’s contracting portfolio shows no reliance on socioeconomic set-asides, with 100% of awards issued under full and open competition. This reflects the highly specialized, classified, and technologically demanding nature of MDA’s mission, where only a limited number of contractors possess the requisite clearances, infrastructure, and systems engineering expertise. While small business participation is not formally prioritized in his portfolio, all procurements adhere strictly to federal acquisition compliance and competitive fairness standards. His primary NAICS focus areas—541330 (Engineering Services) and 541712 (R&D in Physical and Engineering Sciences)—highlight his specialization in advanced defense R&D, systems engineering, modeling and simulation, and hardware integration for missile interceptors and sensor networks. He consistently procures mission-critical services in guidance system development, radar signal processing, and ballistic missile defense architecture design, ensuring technical rigor and operational readiness across the defense lifecycle.