Jessica L. Morris

Jessica L. Morris serves as a Contract Specialist at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), where she plays a critical role in executing high-risk, high-reward acquisitions that advance transformative military technologies. She manages complex procurement actions across scientific and engineering domains, including autonomous systems, next-generation computing, and bio-integrated technologies. Her work supports DARPA’s mission to accelerate breakthrough innovations by securing cutting-edge research and development services from industry and academic partners. Morris handles a diverse portfolio of contracts under FAR and DFARS frameworks, with a focus on competitive, performance-based acquisitions that align with DARPA’s agile and mission-driven program structure. She maintains strategic relationships with key contractors including AEROSPACE & COMMERCIAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC, AMD INTERNATIONAL TECHNOLOGIES LLC, SYSTEMS & TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH LLC, and ABBOTT LABORATORIES INC., reflecting her engagement with defense technology innovators, advanced computing firms, and biomedical research entities. Her contracting patterns emphasize technical excellence and innovation over traditional commercial models, fostering partnerships with firms capable of delivering novel solutions under tight timelines and evolving requirements. These relationships are typically non-traditional, often involving research consortia, university-affiliated entities, and specialized defense contractors with deep domain expertise. Morris’s procurement activity is predominantly unreserved, with 87.5% of awards issued without set-aside designations, indicating a preference for open competition to ensure access to the broadest possible pool of technical capability. The remaining 12.5% are awarded under Total Small Business Set-Asides, demonstrating a measured but intentional commitment to small business participation where it aligns with mission-critical innovation needs. Her primary NAICS focus includes 541519 (Other Computer Related Services) and 541512 (Computer Systems Design Services), underscoring her specialization in advanced computing, software architecture, and systems integration. She also procures services under 532112 (Passenger Car Leasing), likely for specialized mobility platforms, and engages in niche areas such as health sciences and recreational technology support, reflecting DARPA’s interdisciplinary approach to national security innovation.