Dr. Karen Wood

Dr. Karen Wood serves as a Program Manager at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), where she leads high-risk, high-reward research initiatives aimed at accelerating transformative military technologies. In this role, she is responsible for defining technical objectives, designing acquisition strategies, and overseeing the end-to-end lifecycle of advanced research contracts. Her portfolio focuses on foundational innovations in physical and engineering sciences, with an emphasis on autonomous systems, next-generation computing, bio-integrated platforms, and advanced materials. Dr. Wood’s procurement approach is mission-driven, prioritizing technical excellence and rapid prototyping over conventional acquisition timelines, enabling breakthrough capabilities that align with DARPA’s mandate to maintain U.S. technological superiority. Dr. Wood maintains strategic relationships with a select group of research-intensive contractors, including AEROSPACE & COMMERCIAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC, AMD INTERNATIONAL TECHNOLOGIES LLC, SYSTEMS & TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH LLC, and ABBOTT LABORATORIES INC., reflecting her focus on institutions capable of delivering cutting-edge scientific and engineering solutions. Her contracting patterns emphasize deep technical collaboration, often involving joint development agreements, cooperative research and development agreements (CRADAs), and rapid contract award mechanisms such as Broad Agency Announcements (BAAs). These partnerships are characterized by iterative feedback loops, milestone-driven performance evaluations, and a strong emphasis on intellectual property alignment for national security applications. Dr. Wood’s procurement portfolio exhibits a 100% preference for unrestricted, open competition, with no set-asides designated for 8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB, or other socioeconomic categories. This reflects DARPA’s operational need for access to the broadest possible pool of technical expertise, where capability and innovation take precedence over socioeconomic criteria. While small business participation is not formally prioritized in her contracting strategy, small entities are eligible and frequently compete on technical merit within open solicitations. Her primary procurement focus is on NAICS 541712—Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)—encompassing advanced materials development, microelectronics, neuroengineering, and quantum-enabled systems. Dr. Wood specializes in acquiring foundational research services, prototype development, and systems integration for defense-critical technologies, ensuring that scientific innovation is rapidly transitioned into operational relevance.