Jody Criss

Jody Criss serves as a key procurement lead within the W2R2 USA Engineering Research & Development Center, supporting the U.S. Army’s mission to advance battlefield-ready engineering systems through technical acquisition and contract management. Responsible for managing complex research and development contracts, Criss oversees the acquisition of advanced instrumentation, sensor technologies, and mission-critical software solutions that enhance analytical precision and field deployability. Their work directly enables the Center’s technical infrastructure by ensuring timely delivery of high-fidelity measurement systems and embedded computing platforms essential to Army modernization efforts. Criss maintains strategic partnerships with leading research and engineering firms including Applied Research Associates, Inc., the Michigan Technology and Research Institute, LLC, and the University of Maryland, frequently collaborating with institutions that combine academic rigor with defense-grade engineering capabilities. These relationships are characterized by long-term, performance-based contracting models that emphasize innovation, technical validation, and rapid prototyping. Criss also engages with specialized service providers such as Texas Pipeline Services LLC, reflecting a balanced approach between R&D institutions and niche technical contractors capable of delivering field-deployable solutions. A strong advocate for small business participation, Criss consistently prioritizes Small Business Set-Aside procurements under FAR 19.5, with approximately 60% of contracts reserved for small businesses. This reflects a deliberate strategy to foster innovation from agile vendors and expand the defense industrial base through inclusive contracting practices, particularly benefiting SDVOSB and HUBZone-eligible firms. Criss’s procurement portfolio is heavily concentrated in NAICS 334111 (Electronic Computer Manufacturing), 334516 (Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing), 513210 (Software Publishers), and 561621 (Security Systems Services), reflecting deep expertise in acquiring precision sensor systems, embedded computing hardware, specialized analytical software, and secure data acquisition platforms critical to military R&D operations.