Jennifer B. McCaghren

Jennifer B. McCaghren serves as a Contracting Officer responsible for managing complex acquisitions in technical and scientific domains, ensuring compliance with federal procurement regulations and advancing mission-critical capabilities. She oversees the full lifecycle of contract actions—from market research and solicitation to award and administration—focusing primarily on research and development, engineering services, and advanced manufacturing. Her work supports high-precision, technology-driven programs requiring rigorous technical evaluation and risk mitigation, positioning her as a key enabler of innovation within her organization’s acquisition ecosystem. McCaghren cultivates strategic relationships with a diverse base of contractors, including large prime contractors with deep technical expertise in physical and engineering sciences, as well as specialized small businesses capable of delivering niche R&D solutions. Her contracting patterns reflect a preference for competed procurements under full and open competition, with limited use of set-asides, indicating a focus on technical merit and capability over socioeconomic categorization. She engages vendors through competitive sealed bidding and negotiated contracts, emphasizing performance-based outcomes and clear statement of work definitions. While the majority of her acquisitions—94.1%—are conducted without set-aside restrictions, she does allocate 5.9% to 8(a) competed contracts, demonstrating a measured but intentional commitment to small business participation. Her socioeconomic contracting approach prioritizes capability alignment over quota-driven goals, ensuring that small business awards are strategically targeted to firms with proven technical proficiency in her core domains. Her primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 541715 and 541712, encompassing research and development in physical, engineering, and life sciences, alongside 336414 for guided missile and space vehicle manufacturing and 541330 for engineering services. She regularly procures advanced analytical tools, prototype development, systems integration, and technical consulting services, demonstrating deep familiarity with defense and aerospace R&D ecosystems and the regulatory frameworks governing high-consequence technical acquisitions.