Lisa Starbuck

Lisa Starbuck serves as a Contracting Officer for the Missile Defense Agency (MDA), where she plays a critical role in acquiring advanced technological systems that support the nation’s layered ballistic missile defense architecture. She manages complex procurement actions for research, development, testing, and integration of sensor, command and control, and interceptor systems, ensuring alignment with MDA’s mission to defend the U.S. and allied forces against evolving missile threats. Her acquisitions primarily involve technical services and systems engineering support, with a strong emphasis on rapid prototyping and fielding of next-generation defense capabilities under FAR and DFARS regulatory frameworks. Starbuck maintains sustained contracting relationships with leading defense prime contractors, including Lockheed Martin Corp. and Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation, leveraging their expertise in missile defense system integration, radar modernization, and hypersonic threat mitigation. She also collaborates with Jacobs Technology Inc. for mission-critical technical support and systems analysis. Her procurement patterns reflect a preference for established industry partners with proven capabilities in high-assurance, mission-essential domains, while maintaining rigorous oversight of contract performance and technical compliance. While 60% of her acquisitions are unrestricted, Starbuck consistently allocates 40% of her portfolio to Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5, demonstrating a strong commitment to expanding small business participation in high-tech defense programs. She actively engages with small businesses capable of delivering specialized software, modeling and simulation, and training services, ensuring a diverse supplier base contributes to MDA’s innovation pipeline. Her procurement focus is overwhelmingly centered on NAICS 541511 (Custom Computer Programming Services), reflecting her dominance in acquiring software development, algorithm design, and real-time data processing solutions for missile defense systems. She also procures NAICS 611430 (Professional and Management Development Training) services to enhance workforce readiness in emerging defense technologies. Starbuck’s expertise lies at the intersection of software-intensive systems engineering and mission-critical training, making her a key enabler of MDA’s digital transformation and operational readiness goals.