Latoya S. Gilbert

Latoya S. Gilbert serves as a Contract Specialist within the Missile Defense Agency, where she plays a pivotal role in executing complex acquisitions for advanced missile defense systems. Her responsibilities encompass the full lifecycle of contract management—from solicitation and evaluation to award and administration—ensuring compliance with FAR, DFARS, and DoD-specific procurement policies. She specializes in securing research and development services critical to the Agency’s mission of fielding integrated kinetic and non-kinetic countermeasures against ballistic and hypersonic threats. Her acquisitions primarily support the design, testing, and integration of sensor networks, command-and-control architectures, and interceptor systems, aligning closely with national security objectives. Gilbert cultivates strategic partnerships with a diverse pool of defense contractors and research institutions specializing in systems engineering, modeling and simulation, and advanced materials. While no single contractor dominates her portfolio, she consistently engages with firms possessing deep expertise in aerospace defense technologies, including those with prior experience in missile defense programs such as THAAD, GMD, and Aegis BMD. Her working relationships are characterized by rigorous technical evaluation, performance-based contracting, and close collaboration with program engineers to ensure deliverables meet operational readiness standards. Her procurement strategy reflects a strong commitment to small business participation, with 25% of her acquisitions structured as total small business set-asides under FAR 19.5. Though the majority of her contracts remain open to all competitors, she actively promotes equitable access for small businesses with relevant technical capabilities, particularly those qualified under the SBA’s 8(a), HUBZone, and SDVOSB programs. This balanced approach supports innovation while maintaining mission-critical performance. Gilbert’s procurement focus is exclusively centered on NAICS 541712—Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. She procures cutting-edge R&D services in areas including radar signal processing, hypersonic trajectory modeling, and integrated battle management systems, ensuring the MDA maintains technological superiority through sustained investment in foundational defense science and engineering.