Janice Olson

Janice S. Olson serves as a Contracting Officer for the Missile Defense Agency (MDA), where she plays a pivotal role in acquiring advanced defense technologies critical to national security. She manages complex, high-stakes procurements focused on research, development, and integration of layered missile defense systems, including midcourse and terminal-phase interceptors, sensor modernization platforms, and guided weapon system components. Her work directly supports MDA’s mission to field integrated, multi-domain ballistic missile defense capabilities through technically demanding contracts that require rigorous systems engineering oversight and compliance with defense acquisition regulations. Olson maintains longstanding relationships with prime contractors including Lockheed Martin Corp. and Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation, which provide the core systems integration and engineering expertise required for missile defense architectures. She also collaborates regularly with Jacobs Technology Inc. for technical support services and systems analysis. Her contracting patterns reflect a preference for established defense industry partners with proven track records in hypersonics, radar modernization, and battle management command and control systems, indicating a reliance on deep technical capability over transactional vendor relationships. Olson’s portfolio exhibits no set-aside preferences, with 100% of her acquisitions awarded under full and open competition. This reflects the specialized nature of missile defense technologies, which demand advanced engineering capabilities typically found only among large, established defense contractors with DoD clearance and systems integration experience. While small business participation is not a primary focus in her current portfolio, her adherence to full and open competition aligns with the technical imperatives of national security procurement. Her primary procurement focus is centered on NAICS 541712—Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences—encompassing advanced physics modeling, sensor fusion, guidance algorithms, and live-fire test support. She consistently awards contracts for classified and unclassified R&D efforts that advance the next generation of missile defense technologies, demonstrating deep expertise in engineering services procurement within the national defense innovation ecosystem.