Dunia A. Hickey

Dunia A. Hickey serves as a Contract Specialist at the Naval Research Laboratory, where she manages the acquisition of advanced scientific and engineering solutions critical to naval and national security missions. Her work centers on procuring research and development services and specialized instrumentation to support next-generation maritime technologies, including high-precision sensors, electronic warfare systems, and autonomous navigation platforms. She plays a pivotal role in translating technical requirements into compliant, performance-based contracts that align with the Laboratory’s mission of foundational innovation. Hickey specializes in complex R&D procurements under FAR and DFARS frameworks, often navigating technical evaluation criteria, prototype development clauses, and non-traditional defense contractor engagement. Hickey maintains consistent working relationships with key contractors including Assurance Technology Corp, L3Harris NexGen Communications LLC, Envisioneering Inc, Integration Innovation Inc, and Analex Corporation. These partnerships reflect a preference for established technical providers with proven expertise in physical sciences, analytical instrumentation, and systems integration. Her contracting approach emphasizes long-term vendor collaboration, technical diligence, and performance accountability, often leveraging Indefinite-Delivery, Indefinite-Quantity (IDIQ) and Other Transaction Authority (OTA) mechanisms to accelerate innovation cycles. Hickey’s procurement portfolio is entirely non-set-aside, with 100% of awards issued under full and open competition. This reflects a strategic focus on technical excellence and mission-critical capability over socioeconomic preferences, aligning with the Laboratory’s need for specialized, high-fidelity solutions that require deep domain expertise rather than small business set-asides. Her primary NAICS focus is on Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (541712), with significant activity in Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing (334516). She routinely procures advanced signal processing systems, electronic test equipment, and custom sensor arrays, demonstrating deep familiarity with technical domains including radar cross-section analysis, RF spectrum management, and embedded systems integration.