Deirdre A. Rice

Deirdre A. Rice serves as a Contract Specialist within the W6QK Acc-pica organization under the Department of the Army, where she plays a pivotal role in executing mission-critical acquisitions that sustain combat readiness and logistical infrastructure. Her responsibilities encompass the full lifecycle management of contracts for defense manufacturing, facility services, and operational support systems, with a focus on ensuring timely delivery of munitions supply chains, installation maintenance, and modernized ammunition production capabilities. She routinely negotiates and administers complex procurement actions under FAR and DFARS guidelines, balancing mission urgency with regulatory compliance and fiscal accountability. Rice maintains established relationships with key defense contractors including NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION, GENERAL DYNAMICS OTS (WILKES BARRE), LLC, and PIONEERING DECISIVE SOLUTIONS INC, among others. These partnerships are characterized by long-term, performance-based contract structures that emphasize reliability, technical innovation, and mission-critical support. Her working patterns reflect a preference for established industry partners with proven capabilities in defense systems integration, while also engaging smaller firms for specialized technical services. Her contracting portfolio is predominantly composed of unrestricted acquisitions, with 80% of awards issued without socioeconomic set-asides. The remaining 20% are strategically reserved for Women-Owned Small Businesses, reflecting a targeted commitment to expanding diverse vendor participation within the defense industrial base. While she does not routinely utilize 8(a), HUBZone, or SDVOSB set-asides, her approach ensures equitable access for qualified small businesses aligned with mission requirements. Rice’s primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 511210 (Software Publishers), supporting the development and integration of mission-critical software systems for defense operations. She also frequently procures Computer Systems Design Services (NAICS 541512) and Facility Support Services under NAICS 721110 to sustain installation infrastructure and housing for deployed personnel. Her technical expertise spans defense software modernization, cyber-enabled logistics platforms, and installation sustainment systems, positioning her at the intersection of operational readiness and enterprise IT infrastructure.