Deena W. Cherry

Deena W. Cherry serves as Lead Contracting Officer, overseeing the full lifecycle of complex acquisition programs within a federal organization focused on national defense and aerospace systems. In this role, she is responsible for developing solicitation strategies, evaluating proposals, negotiating contract terms, and ensuring compliance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and agency-specific policies. Her portfolio primarily encompasses high-technology procurement actions involving aviation systems, sensor technologies, and engineering services, requiring deep technical acumen and risk mitigation expertise. She plays a pivotal role in aligning procurement outcomes with mission-critical operational needs, ensuring timely delivery of mission-enabling capabilities while maintaining rigorous accountability standards. While specific contractor names are not disclosed in available data, Deena consistently engages with a diverse pool of vendors, including prime contractors with specialized capabilities in aerospace manufacturing and systems integration, as well as small businesses capable of delivering niche engineering and technical support. Her contracting patterns reflect a preference for competitive, performance-based solicitations that encourage innovation and technical excellence. She fosters collaborative relationships with industry partners through clear communication, transparent evaluation criteria, and proactive pre-solicitation outreach. Deena’s procurement strategy prioritizes open competition, with 87.5% of her awards issued under non-set-aside conditions, reflecting a focus on broad market access and technical capability over socioeconomic categorization. However, she maintains a deliberate 12.5% commitment to Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5, demonstrating a balanced approach that upholds small business participation without compromising mission requirements. Her socioeconomic contracting patterns emphasize capability-driven selection over categorical preferences. Her primary NAICS focus areas include 336413 for other aircraft parts and auxiliary equipment, 334511 for aeronautical navigation and guidance systems, and 541330 for engineering services, indicating a specialization in advanced aerospace technologies and mission-critical systems development. She frequently procures components for avionics, flight control systems, and technical support services requiring certified engineering expertise, positioning her at the intersection of defense procurement and cutting-edge aerospace innovation.