Deidra A. W. Eberhardt

Deidra A. W. Eberhardt serves as an Administrative and Program Manager (ADPM) within DARPA’s Defense Sciences Office (DSO), where she plays a pivotal role in advancing high-risk, high-reward research initiatives critical to national defense. In this capacity, she oversees the full lifecycle of research and development contracts, from solicitation and source selection to award administration and performance monitoring. Her work directly supports DARPA’s mission to catalyze transformative breakthroughs in physical sciences, engineering, and life sciences, with a focus on autonomous systems, next-generation computing, and bio-integrated technologies. She manages complex, multi-year R&D procurements under the HR0011 contracting vehicle, ensuring alignment with strategic technological priorities and national security imperatives. Eberhardt maintains consistent partnerships with leading technical innovators including AEROSPACE & COMMERCIAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC, AMD INTERNATIONAL TECHNOLOGIES LLC, SYSTEMS & TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH LLC, PENNSYLVANIA & SOUTHERN RAILWAY LLC, and ABBOTT LABORATORIES INC. These relationships reflect a preference for established research institutions and specialized defense contractors with proven expertise in advanced materials, sensor systems, and biomedical engineering. Her procurement approach emphasizes technical excellence, rapid prototyping, and agile contract execution, often engaging vendors with deep domain knowledge in non-traditional defense sectors. Eberhardt’s contracting portfolio exhibits a 100% preference for unrestricted, full and open competition, with no set-asides designated for 8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB, or other socioeconomic categories. This reflects DARPA’s focus on securing the most technically capable performers, regardless of business size or certification status, to meet urgent and complex scientific challenges. Her primary procurement activity centers on NAICS 541712—Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)—with an emphasis on foundational science, prototype development, and systems integration. She routinely procures advanced computing architectures, neurotechnology platforms, quantum-enabled sensors, and novel materials, supporting programs that bridge laboratory innovation with military operational capability.