Mary Kiss

Mary Kiss serves as Lead Contracting Officer, responsible for managing the full lifecycle of complex defense acquisition programs within the national security sector. In this role, she leads the formulation, solicitation, evaluation, and award of contracts for advanced aerospace and space systems, ensuring compliance with federal acquisition regulations and mission-critical performance standards. Her expertise spans technical requirements development, source selection, and contract administration for high-stakes, mission-essential systems. She plays a pivotal role in aligning procurement strategy with national defense priorities, overseeing acquisitions that support the development, testing, and deployment of guided missile and space vehicle platforms. Mary works primarily with prime contractors possessing deep technical capabilities in aerospace engineering, propulsion systems, guidance and navigation technologies, and space vehicle integration. Her vendor partnerships are typically with established defense primes and Tier-1 systems integrators with proven experience in classified and unclassified space and missile programs. She fosters collaborative relationships with industry partners through pre-solicitation engagement, industry days, and technical working groups to ensure market readiness and technical feasibility. Mary’s contracting approach reflects a singular focus on full and open competition, with 100% of her acquisitions conducted without set-asides. She prioritizes technical merit, past performance, and mission suitability over socioeconomic preferences, ensuring that procurement decisions are driven by operational necessity and system readiness rather than programmatic quotas. Her primary procurement focus is exclusively within NAICS 336414—Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing. She specializes in acquiring advanced propulsion systems, guidance electronics, launch vehicle components, and integrated space payloads. Her domain expertise includes hypersonic systems, orbital maneuvering units, and re-entry vehicle technologies, positioning her as a key steward of the nation’s strategic deterrence and space exploration capabilities.