Michael Hicks

Michael Hicks serves as a Contracting Officer for the Missile Defense Agency (HQ0276), where he plays a critical role in acquiring advanced defense systems essential to the nation’s ballistic and hypersonic threat mitigation efforts. He manages the full lifecycle of complex procurements, including research and development, systems integration, and operational testing of sensor networks, interceptor platforms, and command-and-control architectures. His portfolio supports the MDA’s mission to field integrated, layered missile defense capabilities through rapid innovation and rigorous technical validation, ensuring alignment with DoD acquisition regulations and operational readiness requirements. While specific contractor names are not available, Hicks maintains a balanced procurement strategy that engages both large defense primes and innovative small businesses with specialized technical expertise in aerospace, sensor systems, and defense electronics. His contracting patterns reflect a preference for collaborative, performance-based partnerships that emphasize technical agility, rapid prototyping, and systems engineering excellence. He frequently works with vendors capable of delivering high-fidelity simulation tools, radar and tracking hardware, and secure data fusion architectures under time-sensitive development timelines. Hicks demonstrates a strong commitment to socioeconomic contracting, with equal weighting between total small business set-asides and unrestricted competitions. His awards consistently prioritize FAR 19.5 total small business set-asides, reflecting a deliberate effort to foster innovation from small businesses with niche capabilities in defense technologies. This approach ensures broad market participation while maintaining technical rigor and mission-critical performance standards. His primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 541712 (R&D in physical and engineering sciences) and 334511 (search, detection, and guidance system manufacturing), underscoring his expertise in cutting-edge defense R&D and advanced electro-optical/infrared sensor systems. He regularly procures prototype interceptors, radar signal processors, and integrated battle management software—technical domains requiring deep systems engineering knowledge and strict compliance with DoD test and evaluation protocols.