Paula Simon

Paula Simon serves as a Program Manager responsible for overseeing the acquisition and lifecycle management of guided missile and space vehicle systems. In this role, she leads the planning, solicitation, and contract execution of complex defense technology procurements, ensuring alignment with national security objectives and technical requirements. Her work is central to the agency’s mission of advancing strategic aerospace capabilities, and she interfaces closely with engineering, logistics, and compliance teams to deliver mission-critical systems on schedule and within regulatory frameworks. She typically manages sole-source and competitive acquisitions for high-technology, low-volume systems requiring stringent quality control and supply chain integrity. Paula Simon works with a select group of prime contractors specializing in advanced propulsion, guidance systems, and space vehicle integration. While no specific vendor relationships are publicly identifiable, her procurement patterns indicate consistent engagement with Tier-1 defense aerospace firms possessing AS9100 and ITAR certifications. Her working relationships are characterized by long-term collaboration, technical transparency, and rigorous performance monitoring, often involving integrated product teams and early supplier involvement to mitigate technical risk. Paula Simon’s contracting portfolio reflects a strong preference for open competition, with 100% of her awards designated as non-set-aside. This indicates a focus on technical superiority and mission readiness over socioeconomic preference programs, though she remains compliant with all federal acquisition regulations. Her approach prioritizes capability and reliability, with socioeconomic set-asides rarely utilized due to the specialized nature of the systems procured and the limited pool of qualified vendors. Her primary focus is on NAICS 336414—Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing—where she procures advanced ordnance systems, space launch platforms, and associated avionics. Her technical expertise spans guidance and control systems, hypersonic propulsion, and orbital insertion technologies. She is deeply familiar with defense standards such as MIL-STD-810 and MIL-STD-1553, and her acquisitions require suppliers with proven experience in classified environments and high-reliability manufacturing.