Mark Thompson, Contracting Specialist

Mark Thompson serves as a key procurement lead within the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (HDTRA1), supporting the agency’s mission to counter weapons of mass destruction through strategic acquisition of advanced scientific, technical, and operational capabilities. He manages a portfolio of complex contracts focused on threat detection systems, forensic analysis tools, radiological and nuclear defense technologies, and high-performance computing solutions. His work directly enables HDTRA1’s R&D and field deployment initiatives, ensuring timely delivery of mission-critical capabilities to safeguard national security. Thompson’s acquisitions typically involve research and development services, systems integration, and cloud-based analytical platforms, often requiring stringent compliance with DoD security and classification standards. He maintains consistent partnerships with leading technical contractors including TECHTRANS INTERNATIONAL INC, BATTELLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTE, AERIS LLC, APPLIED RESEARCH ASSOCIATES, INC., and AMAZON WEB SERVICES, INC. These relationships reflect a preference for established, high-capacity providers with proven expertise in defense science, CBRNE threat mitigation, and secure cloud infrastructure. His contracting approach emphasizes performance-based outcomes, technical innovation, and long-term sustainment, often leveraging Other Transaction Authorities and Basic Ordering Agreements to accelerate delivery timelines for urgent operational needs. Thompson’s procurement portfolio is entirely non-set-aside, with 100% of awards issued under full and open competition. This reflects a strategic focus on accessing the broadest possible pool of technical expertise rather than socioeconomic set-asides, prioritizing mission readiness and capability superiority over socioeconomic preferences. While small business participation is not formally incentivized in his portfolio, vendors of all sizes compete on technical merit and past performance. His primary procurement focus centers on scientific research and development, cybersecurity, advanced computing, and defense systems engineering. He routinely procures services related to chemical and biological threat modeling, nuclear forensics, sensor deployment, and secure data analytics—domains requiring deep domain expertise and compliance with federal security protocols. His work underscores HDTRA1’s reliance on cutting-edge technology to anticipate and neutralize emerging WMD threats.