Dr. Alicia Jackson

Dr. Alicia Jackson serves as a Program Manager at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), where she leads the design, solicitation, and execution of high-risk, high-reward research initiatives critical to maintaining U.S. technological superiority in defense applications. She oversees the full lifecycle of advanced technology acquisitions, from concept development through contract award and performance monitoring, with a focus on accelerating breakthroughs in physical sciences, engineering, and life sciences. Her portfolio includes complex, multi-phase R&D contracts requiring interdisciplinary collaboration and rapid prototyping, often targeting next-generation autonomous systems, bio-integrated platforms, and advanced computing architectures. Dr. Jackson maintains strategic partnerships with a select group of research-driven contractors, including AEROSPACE & COMMERCIAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC, AMD INTERNATIONAL TECHNOLOGIES LLC, SYSTEMS & TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH LLC, and ABBOTT LABORATORIES INC., reflecting her emphasis on technical excellence and innovation capacity. Her contracting patterns favor established research organizations with proven capabilities in defense-relevant science and engineering, often engaging firms capable of transitioning laboratory discoveries into field-deployable prototypes. She cultivates long-term, performance-based relationships with vendors who demonstrate agility, technical depth, and a track record of delivering under DARPA’s accelerated timelines. Dr. Jackson’s procurement activity is exclusively conducted under open, unrestricted competition, with 100% of her awards issued without socioeconomic set-asides. This reflects DARPA’s mission-driven priority to source the most capable technical solutions regardless of firm size or certification status, prioritizing capability over socioeconomic classification. While small business participation is not mandated, her contracts are open to all qualified entities, ensuring the broadest possible access to cutting-edge innovation. Her primary procurement focus lies within NAICS 541712—Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)—encompassing advanced materials, neurotechnology, quantum-enabled systems, and high-performance computing. She routinely solicits proprietary R&D services, prototype development, and systems integration efforts that bridge fundamental science with military operational needs, underscoring her deep expertise in translational defense science and advanced technology acquisition.