David Sharp

David Sharp serves as a key procurement lead within the Space Development Agency, supporting the rapid acquisition of space-based capabilities critical to national defense. He manages a portfolio of research, development, and systems integration contracts focused on proliferated low-Earth orbit satellite architectures, enabling resilient communications, missile tracking, and battle management. His work directly advances SDA’s mission to accelerate the deployment of next-generation space technologies through agile, iterative contracting approaches. Sharp routinely handles complex, time-sensitive acquisitions under FAR Part 13 and Part 15, emphasizing performance-based outcomes and rapid prototyping to meet urgent warfighter needs. He maintains strong working relationships with industry leaders including SpaceX, Viasat, Aerospace & Commercial Technologies, Plexsys Interface Products, and Websec, Corp., partnering primarily with firms capable of delivering advanced space payloads, secure data links, and real-time processing systems. His contracting patterns reflect a preference for innovative, non-traditional defense contractors alongside established space technology providers, fostering a dynamic ecosystem of rapid innovation and system interoperability. Sharp demonstrates a pronounced commitment to small business participation, with 80% of his acquisitions set aside for small businesses under FAR 19.5, reflecting a strategic emphasis on cultivating a diverse supplier base capable of delivering cutting-edge capabilities at speed. This focus enables broader access for small, agile firms in the national security space sector, particularly those with specialized expertise in satellite subsystems, secure communications, and edge computing. His procurement activities are overwhelmingly concentrated in NAICS 541715—research and development in physical and engineering sciences—with a secondary emphasis on NAICS 518210 for computing infrastructure and data services. He specializes in procuring advanced satellite payloads, ground station interfaces, secure data transmission systems, and real-time analytics platforms, demonstrating deep technical fluency in space communications, distributed sensor networks, and military-grade computing architectures.