Helen (Kieran) Jacobson

Helen (Kieran) Jacobson serves as a key procurement lead within the W4LD USA Hecsa (W912HQ), a Department of the Army organization focused on advancing scientific and technical innovation to strengthen military readiness and environmental resilience. She manages a diverse portfolio of research and development contracts, primarily in physical, engineering, and life sciences, with an emphasis on climate-resilient infrastructure, energy security, and operational sustainability on military installations. Her acquisitions support mission-critical R&D initiatives, often involving custom software development, systems integration, and technical consulting services that bridge scientific discovery with field-deployable solutions. Jacobson maintains strong working relationships with a mix of industry leaders and academic partners, including AMD INTERNATIONAL TECHNOLOGIES LLC, AEROSPACE & COMMERCIAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC, CLEARVOYANT CONSULTING, LLC, the UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII, and NORTHERN ARIZONA UNIVERSITY. These partnerships reflect a balanced approach between commercial technology providers and research institutions, enabling the agency to leverage both cutting-edge commercial capabilities and academic expertise in applied defense science. Her contracting patterns emphasize collaboration with vendors capable of delivering tailored, high-impact solutions in complex operational environments. Her procurement strategy prioritizes open competition, with 58.8% of awards issued without set-asides, yet she consistently integrates small business participation, allocating 23.5% to total small business set-asides and 17.6% to 8(a) competed contracts. This demonstrates a deliberate effort to foster innovation through socioeconomic programs while maintaining rigorous technical standards. Jacobson actively supports the growth of small and disadvantaged firms within the defense science and technology ecosystem. Her primary NAICS focus areas include Custom Computer Programming Services (541511) and Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (541715), reflecting a deep specialization in software-driven scientific tools, environmental modeling systems, and mission-critical analytical platforms. She also procures professional scientific services and software publishing solutions that enhance data interoperability and decision-making across defense installations.