Margaret Smith

Margaret Smith serves as the primary contracting lead for the Active Devices Division within the Department of Defense’s DLA Land and Maritime, where she oversees the acquisition of mission-critical electronic components essential to military platforms and secure communications systems. Her responsibilities include managing the full lifecycle of procurements for high-integrity components such as semiconductors, connectors, relays, and specialized switches, ensuring compliance with defense standards for reliability, interoperability, and supply chain resilience. She plays a pivotal role in aligning acquisition strategies with the division’s mission to sustain readiness across defense systems through rigorous technical evaluation and risk mitigation in component sourcing. While specific contractor names are not disclosed, Smith maintains a broad network of vendors specializing in electronic manufacturing, with consistent engagement across both large-tier suppliers and small businesses meeting stringent military specifications. Her procurement patterns reflect a preference for established vendors with proven track records in MIL-STD-compliant production, while actively fostering partnerships with firms capable of rapid prototyping, obsolescence management, and traceable lot control for critical components. Smith’s contracting approach prioritizes open competition, with 80.8% of acquisitions conducted without set-asides, reflecting the technical complexity and limited supplier base for defense-grade electronics. However, she consistently allocates 19.2% of opportunities to Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5, demonstrating a deliberate commitment to expanding the defense industrial base through small business inclusion without compromising performance or security requirements. Her technical focus centers on NAICS 334220 (wireless communications equipment), 334417 (electronic connectors), and 334419 (other electronic components), with deep expertise in sourcing RF components, high-reliability interconnects, and embedded control systems. She specializes in acquisitions requiring adherence to AS9100, IPC-A-610, and DLA qualification standards, ensuring components meet the rigorous environmental and performance demands of aerospace and tactical defense applications.