Dr. Alicia Jackson

Dr. Alicia Jackson serves as a key procurement lead within the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), overseeing the acquisition of high-risk, high-reward research and development initiatives aligned with the agency’s mission to advance transformative military technologies. She manages complex R&D contracts spanning physical sciences, engineering, and life sciences, with a focus on enabling breakthroughs in autonomous systems, next-generation computing, and bio-integrated technologies. Her work directly supports DARPA’s programmatic objectives by identifying and engaging top-tier scientific and technical partners capable of delivering innovative solutions under aggressive timelines and technical uncertainty. Dr. Jackson maintains strategic relationships with leading research and technology firms including AEROSPACE & COMMERCIAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC, AMD INTERNATIONAL TECHNOLOGIES LLC, SYSTEMS & TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH LLC, and ABBOTT LABORATORIES INC., partnering with organizations that demonstrate exceptional capability in advanced materials, neuromorphic computing, and bio-sensing systems. Her contracting approach emphasizes performance-based outcomes, agile acquisition frameworks, and rapid prototyping, fostering collaborative relationships with vendors who operate at the intersection of academia, industry, and defense innovation. She does not utilize socioeconomic set-asides, with 100% of her acquisitions awarded under full and open competition, reflecting DARPA’s priority for technical excellence over socioeconomic criteria. Her procurement strategy prioritizes access to the most capable performers globally, regardless of business size or certification status, ensuring that mission-critical innovations are not constrained by administrative barriers. Her primary focus is on NAICS 541712—Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences—where she procures advanced prototypes, sensor systems, quantum computing components, and bio-hybrid interfaces. Her expertise lies in navigating complex technical requirements and evaluating proprietary research proposals to identify high-potential solutions that align with DARPA’s visionary programs such as VITAL and O-CIRCUI.