Derek Tenney

Derek Tenney serves as a key procurement professional within the Missile Defense Agency, supporting the development and fielding of advanced missile defense systems through strategic acquisition planning and contract execution. He plays a critical role in advancing the MDA’s mission to deliver layered, integrated defense capabilities by managing complex research and development contracts focused on sensor modernization, guidance systems, and midcourse and terminal-phase interception technologies. His procurement activities center on high-technology engineering solutions that support national security objectives, ensuring timely delivery of cutting-edge capabilities across the ballistic missile defense architecture. Tenney maintains consistent working relationships with leading defense prime contractors, including Lockheed Martin Corp and Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation, who provide integrated system design, testing, and engineering services. He also collaborates with Jacobs Technology Inc. for technical support and systems integration efforts. These partnerships are characterized by long-term, performance-based contract structures that emphasize technical innovation, rigorous testing protocols, and systems engineering rigor. His contracting approach prioritizes mission-critical outcomes over transactional procurement, fostering deep vendor engagement throughout the lifecycle of defense programs. Tenney’s acquisition portfolio reflects a strict focus on open competition, with 100% of awards issued under no set-aside classifications. This indicates a procurement strategy aligned with the technical complexity and scale of missile defense systems, where specialized capabilities are concentrated among a limited pool of qualified industry partners. While small business participation is not formally prioritized through socioeconomic set-asides, his contracting actions remain compliant with all federal requirements for fair and open competition. His primary procurement focus is on NAICS 541715—Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences—reflecting deep expertise in advanced defense R&D. He procures services related to radar and infrared sensor development, kinetic and non-kinetic interceptor systems, command and control architectures, and simulation-based testing environments, all critical to the MDA’s layered defense mission.