Michael Haney

Michael Haney serves as Program Manager at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), where he leads the planning, execution, and acquisition of high-risk, high-reward research initiatives aligned with DARPA’s mission to advance transformative military technologies. He oversees the full lifecycle of research and development contracts, from solicitation and technical evaluation to award and performance management, ensuring alignment with strategic priorities in autonomous systems, next-generation computing, bio-integrated technologies, and advanced materials. His acquisitions are primarily research-focused, targeting cutting-edge innovations in physical, engineering, and life sciences, often through time-sensitive, milestone-driven program structures. Haney maintains consistent partnerships with specialized research and technology firms including AEROSPACE & COMMERCIAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC, AMD INTERNATIONAL TECHNOLOGIES LLC, SYSTEMS & TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH LLC, PENNSYLVANIA & SOUTHERN RAILWAY LLC, and ABBOTT LABORATORIES INC. These contractors are selected for their technical depth in defense-relevant domains such as microelectronics, sensor systems, biomedical instrumentation, and advanced materials development. His procurement approach emphasizes technical excellence and innovation over cost competitiveness, fostering long-term collaborations with firms capable of delivering non-traditional solutions to complex national security challenges. Haney’s contracting portfolio reflects a strict focus on open competition, with 100% of awards issued under no set-aside provisions. He does not routinely utilize socioeconomic programs such as 8(a), HUBZone, or SDVOSB set-asides, instead prioritizing technical capability and readiness to meet DARPA’s accelerated innovation timelines. This reflects DARPA’s mission-driven need for rapid prototyping and access to specialized expertise, regardless of vendor size or certification status. His primary procurement focus is on NAICS 541712—Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)—where he procures advanced prototyping services, experimental systems, computational modeling, and sensor development. His technical expertise spans quantum computing architectures, neuromorphic hardware, bio-sensing platforms, and autonomous control systems, making him a key driver of DARPA’s pipeline of next-generation defense technologies.