Kristen Dorland

Kristen M. Dorland serves as an Intern with the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (HDTRA1), supporting the agency’s mission to counter weapons of mass destruction through strategic procurement of advanced technical solutions. In this role, she assists in the planning, solicitation, and administration of contracts for scientific research, threat detection systems, and critical infrastructure technologies. Her responsibilities include coordinating with contracting officers, analyzing vendor proposals, and ensuring compliance with federal acquisition regulations. She is embedded within the agency’s acquisition lifecycle for high-priority R&D and IT-enabled threat mitigation initiatives, gaining hands-on experience in mission-critical procurement aligned with national security objectives. Kristen collaborates closely with a network of leading technical contractors including TECHTRANS INTERNATIONAL INC, BATTELLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTE, AERIS LLC, APPLIED RESEARCH ASSOCIATES, INC., and AMAZON WEB SERVICES, INC. These partnerships reflect a focus on cutting-edge capabilities in chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threat analysis, as well as cloud-based data processing and secure computing platforms. Her engagement with these firms supports the development of integrated detection systems, forensic tools, and real-time intelligence architectures, fostering long-term vendor relationships grounded in technical excellence and mission alignment. Her procurement activities demonstrate a strong preference for small business participation, with 66.7% of acquisitions designated as Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5. This reflects a deliberate effort to expand opportunities for small, innovative firms capable of delivering agile, specialized solutions in high-consequence domains. Her work supports the agency’s socioeconomic goals by prioritizing vendor diversity and enabling small businesses to contribute meaningfully to national defense innovation. Kristen’s procurement focus centers on NAICS 423430 for computer hardware and software distribution and NAICS 541712 for physical and engineering R&D services. She supports the acquisition of advanced computing systems, secure software platforms, sensor technologies, and analytical tools used in threat characterization and response. Her emerging expertise lies at the intersection of defense science and commercial technology, ensuring the agency leverages the latest innovations to safeguard national security.