Deborah Westley

Deborah Westley serves as a Program Manager at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), where she leads the planning, solicitation, and execution of high-risk, high-reward research and development initiatives critical to national defense innovation. Her role centers on translating strategic technical priorities—such as autonomous systems, bio-integrated technologies, and next-generation computing—into actionable acquisition strategies. She manages competitive procurements under broad agency announcements and cooperative agreements, primarily targeting advanced scientific research in physical, engineering, and life sciences. Westley ensures alignment between DARPA’s mission of technological superiority and federal acquisition regulations, guiding proposals from concept through contract award and performance oversight. Westley maintains consistent partnerships with specialized R&D contractors including AEROSPACE & COMMERCIAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC, AMD INTERNATIONAL TECHNOLOGIES LLC, SYSTEMS & TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH LLC, and ABBOTT LABORATORIES INC., reflecting a preference for organizations with proven expertise in defense-critical innovation. Her procurement patterns favor established technical leaders with deep domain knowledge in advanced materials, neuroengineering, and secure computing architectures. These relationships are typically formed through open, merit-based competitions, with an emphasis on technical excellence over socioeconomic preferences. Westley’s portfolio reflects a 100% no set-aside procurement strategy, indicating a focus on technical capability over socioeconomic classifications. She does not prioritize 8(a), HUBZone, or SDVOSB set-asides, instead relying on full and open competition to identify the most capable performers, regardless of business size or certification status. This approach underscores DARPA’s mandate to secure the highest-performing entities to achieve breakthrough outcomes. Her primary NAICS classification is 541712—Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)—which governs nearly all her acquisitions. She procures advanced prototypes, sensor systems, computational frameworks, and bio-engineered platforms, demonstrating deep expertise in interdisciplinary science and engineering innovation critical to next-generation military capabilities.