Jimmy K. Hupalar

Jimmy K. Hupalar serves as a Contracting Officer at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), where he plays a critical role in securing innovative research and development solutions aligned with the agency’s mission to deliver transformative military technologies. He manages complex, high-risk acquisitions across advanced scientific domains, including autonomous systems, next-generation computing, bio-integrated technologies, and advanced materials. His portfolio emphasizes early-stage R&D contracts, often structured as Other Transaction Authorities (OTAs) or basic ordering agreements, designed to accelerate breakthroughs in physical, engineering, and life sciences. Hupalar’s work directly supports DARPA’s strategic programs such as VITAL and PICASSO, ensuring rapid procurement agility to meet evolving national security imperatives. Hupalar maintains consistent partnerships with a select group of high-caliber contractors, including AEROSPACE & COMMERCIAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC, AMD INTERNATIONAL TECHNOLOGIES LLC, and SYSTEMS & TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH LLC, which provide specialized technical expertise in defense-critical innovation. He also engages Abbott Laboratories Inc. for bio-integrated systems and PENNSYLVANIA & SOUTHERN RAILWAY LLC for niche logistical support services. His contracting approach prioritizes technical capability over size, fostering collaborative relationships with both established defense contractors and agile niche providers capable of rapid prototyping and iterative development. His set-aside preferences reflect a balanced approach: 71.4% of his awards are unrestricted, while 23.8% are total small business set-asides under FAR 19.5, with an additional 4.8% designated for service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses. This pattern indicates a deliberate but not exclusive commitment to small business participation, prioritizing capability while maintaining flexibility to meet DARPA’s urgent innovation timelines. Hupalar’s procurement focus is dominated by NAICS 519130 (Other Activities Related to Research and Development), reflecting his heavy emphasis on applied scientific consulting and experimental R&D services. He also frequently procures under 541690 (Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services) and 541712 (R&D in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences), underscoring his deep expertise in managing non-traditional, high-technology research contracts that bridge academia, industry, and defense innovation ecosystems.