LaKeshia Cooper

LaKeshia Cooper serves as a Contract Specialist within the W6QK Acc-rsa organization under the Department of the Army, where she plays a pivotal role in executing complex acquisitions to sustain and modernize the U.S. Army’s aerial and missile defense systems. She manages the full lifecycle of procurement actions for mission-critical aerospace platforms, including components for the UH-60 Black Hawk and AH-64 Apache helicopters, as well as advanced avionics, propulsion, and sensor systems. Her work directly supports the agency’s strategic imperative to enhance operational readiness through timely, compliant, and technically sound contracting solutions aligned with Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) requirements. Cooper maintains strong, ongoing relationships with prime contractors including Lockheed Martin Corporation and Alaska Aerospace Corp, partnering with industry leaders capable of delivering high-assurance aerospace and defense systems. Her contracting approach emphasizes performance-based acquisition methods and risk-mitigated contract structures, ensuring technical fidelity and mission continuity. She routinely engages with Tier 1 defense contractors possessing ITAR compliance, ISO 9001 certification, and DOD Q-level clearances, fostering collaborative partnerships that prioritize innovation and supply chain resilience. While the majority of her acquisitions are conducted under full and open competition—reflecting an 88.6% no set-aside preference—Cooper consistently integrates small business participation through Total Small Business Set-Asides in accordance with FAR 19.5, demonstrating a deliberate commitment to broadening vendor diversity without compromising mission requirements. Her primary procurement focus centers on specialized manufacturing and technical services, with significant activity in NAICS 339112 (Surgical and Medical Instrument Manufacturing) and 339113 (Surgical Appliance and Supplies Manufacturing), alongside related sectors including pharmaceutical preparation and medical laboratory services. This reflects the agency’s unique integration of defense systems with biomedical support infrastructure, requiring deep domain expertise in dual-use technologies and precision-engineered components critical to both combat and field medical operations.