Neal F. Barthelme

Neal F. Barthelme serves as a key procurement professional at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, supporting the agency’s mission to advance space science and Earth observation through the acquisition of high-performance research and development services. He manages complex contract actions for the design, integration, and testing of advanced space systems, scientific instrumentation, and deep-space telecommunications infrastructure. His work directly enables the development of next-generation Earth observation platforms and mission-critical spaceborne sensors, aligning procurement strategy with NASA’s technical priorities in astrophysics, heliophysics, and climate science. Barthelme maintains strategic relationships with leading research and technology organizations, including the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Aerospace & Commercial Technologies, LLC. These partnerships are characterized by long-term, mission-critical collaborations involving systems engineering, data analysis, and instrument development. His contracting approach emphasizes technical excellence, innovation, and mission assurance, often engaging institutions with proven expertise in space science payloads and spacecraft integration. Barthelme’s procurement portfolio reflects a strong emphasis on open competition, with 100% of awards issued under no set-aside preferences. This indicates a focus on selecting the most technically qualified offerors regardless of socioeconomic status, prioritizing mission capability over socioeconomic targeting. While small business participation is not formally mandated in his acquisitions, the nature of the work often attracts specialized small firms through competitive open solicitations. His primary procurement focus is on NAICS 541715—Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences—encompassing advanced engineering analysis, prototype development, and mission systems integration. He consistently procures services related to spacecraft design, sensor calibration, data processing algorithms, and space-based communication systems, demonstrating deep expertise in the technical domains of aerospace engineering, remote sensing, and space systems architecture.