Marki Settles

Marki Settles serves as a key procurement professional within the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (HDTRA1), supporting the agency’s mission to counter weapons of mass destruction through the acquisition of advanced technical systems and analytical services. Responsible for managing complex contracts in support of detection, deterrence, and neutralization capabilities, Settles oversees acquisitions spanning sensor development, threat modeling, and operational support systems. Their work directly enables HDTRA1’s scientific and technical initiatives by ensuring timely delivery of mission-critical solutions aligned with national security priorities. Settles maintains strong, long-standing relationships with leading technical contractors including TECHTRANS INTERNATIONAL INC, BATTELLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTE, AERIS LLC, APPLIED RESEARCH ASSOCIATES, INC., and AMAZON WEB SERVICES, INC. These partnerships reflect a preference for established firms with proven expertise in defense science, systems integration, and cloud-based analytical platforms. The contracting approach emphasizes performance-based outcomes, technical innovation, and mission adaptability, with a focus on firms capable of delivering rapid prototyping, field-deployable hardware, and secure data infrastructure. Settles’ procurement portfolio is entirely non-set-aside, with 100% of awards issued under full and open competition. This reflects a strategic emphasis on accessing the broadest possible pool of technical capability rather than socioeconomic preferences, prioritizing mission readiness and specialized expertise over programmatic set-asides. While small business participation is not formally targeted, the nature of the acquisitions often attracts capable small firms through subcontracting opportunities with prime contractors. The primary NAICS categories focus on 334511 and 334519, indicating heavy procurement of search, detection, and precision measurement systems for CBRNE threats, alongside 541512 for computer systems design and 611420 for specialized training in threat response technologies. Settles’ expertise lies in acquiring high-fidelity sensors, forensic analysis tools, real-time data fusion platforms, and immersive simulation environments that enhance the agency’s ability to detect, assess, and mitigate evolving WMD threats.