Dunia A. Hickey

Dunia Hickey serves as a key procurement lead within the Office of Naval Research, managing contracts that translate foundational scientific research into operational naval capabilities. She oversees acquisitions aligned with the Navy’s strategic technology priorities, including autonomous systems, advanced propulsion, and maritime sensing technologies. Her portfolio primarily supports the agency’s mission to bridge the gap between academic and industrial R&D and fleet-ready solutions, focusing on high-impact science and engineering services. She handles complex research and development contracts under the Department of the Navy’s broad authority, ensuring compliance with federal acquisition regulations and mission-critical innovation timelines. Hickey maintains consistent working relationships with leading defense and science contractors including CHEROKEE STRATEGIC SOLUTIONS, SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION, BAE SYSTEMS INFORMATION AND ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS INTEGRATION INC., SKYDWELLER US INC., and ABBOTT LABORATORIES INC. These partnerships reflect a preference for established firms with proven expertise in defense R&D, systems integration, and biomedical research applicable to naval operations. Her contracting patterns indicate a reliance on experienced, full-service contractors capable of delivering multidisciplinary technical solutions under tight developmental schedules. Hickey’s procurement activity is exclusively classified under “No Set-Aside,” indicating a focus on technical merit and capability over socioeconomic classifications. This pattern suggests a mission-driven approach prioritizing rapid access to specialized expertise, with no formal allocation to 8(a), HUBZone, or SDVOSB programs. While small business participation is not structurally mandated, her portfolio may still include small business subcontractors through prime contractor teaming arrangements. Her primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 611430 (Professional and Management Development Training), reflecting substantial investment in workforce upskilling and technical education for naval research personnel, and NAICS 541715 (Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences), underscoring her central role in funding foundational science that underpins next-generation naval platforms and systems.