Mary Kay Chase

Mary Kay Chase serves as a Contract Specialist at the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (HDTRA1), where she plays a critical role in executing complex acquisitions that support the agency’s mission to counter weapons of mass destruction and emerging national security threats. She manages the full lifecycle of procurements—from market research and solicitation development to contract award and administration—focusing primarily on scientific, engineering, and technical services. Her work directly enables HDTRA1’s capabilities in threat detection, forensic analysis, and operational response by securing high-caliber expertise in advanced research and systems integration. Chase 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 firms with deep domain expertise in defense science and high-performance computing. Her contracting approach emphasizes performance-based outcomes, rigorous technical evaluation, and long-term strategic collaboration with vendors capable of delivering classified and sensitive R&D services under stringent security protocols. Her procurement portfolio is entirely non-set-aside, reflecting a mission-driven focus on accessing the most technically capable providers regardless of socioeconomic status. While small business participation is not structurally prioritized through set-asides, she ensures fair competition and transparent evaluation across all offerors, aligning with HDTRA1’s need for mission-critical capabilities over socioeconomic targets. Chase’s acquisitions are concentrated in NAICS 541712 (Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences) and 541330 (Engineering Services), with significant activity in computer systems design and technical consulting. She routinely procures advanced modeling and simulation tools, CBRNE detection systems, data analytics platforms, and engineered solutions for nuclear and radiological threat mitigation—demonstrating specialized expertise in defense science and high-consequence technical domains.