Kathryn Taylor

Kathryn Taylor supports the NASA Johnson Space Center’s mission to advance human space exploration through strategic procurement of critical research, engineering, and systems development services. Though her formal title is not listed, her procurement activities center on high-stakes acquisitions in life sciences, spacecraft systems, and mission-critical R&D, aligning directly with JSC’s focus on crewed mission readiness, microgravity physiology, and next-generation life support technologies. She manages complex contract vehicles for technical services and specialized manufacturing, ensuring alignment with NASA’s technical requirements and compliance with federal acquisition regulations. Her primary contractor relationships include Sierra Space Corp, Aspera Biomedicines, Inc., and Single Crystal Diamond Inc., reflecting a focus on innovative aerospace systems, biomedical research solutions, and advanced materials. These partnerships indicate a preference for specialized, high-technology vendors capable of delivering cutting-edge capabilities in spaceflight hardware, radiation biology instrumentation, and novel material science applications. Her contracting patterns suggest close collaboration with niche industry leaders rather than broad-based commercial suppliers, emphasizing technical precision and mission-critical performance. Taylor’s procurement portfolio exhibits no set-aside preferences, with 100% of awards issued under full and open competition. This indicates a strategic emphasis on technical merit and capability over socioeconomic classifications, prioritizing mission need and performance outcomes. While small business participation is not formally encouraged through set-asides, her contracting approach remains compliant with all federal requirements and may include small businesses as subcontractors within larger prime contracts. Her primary NAICS focus is 541715 (R&D in physical, engineering, and life sciences), underscoring her expertise in securing scientific and engineering services for human spaceflight systems. The secondary focus on 336414 (guided missile and space vehicle manufacturing) highlights her role in procuring specialized spacecraft components and integrated systems. Her domain expertise spans radiation biology, microgravity research, and spacecraft guidance and control, positioning her at the intersection of science and systems engineering within NASA’s human exploration roadmap.