Ryan Bradley

Kari Renee Desmarais serves as the primary Point of Contact for the Information Technology and Programming Office (ITPO) within NASA, playing a critical role in advancing the agency’s mission through the acquisition of high-performance computing, enterprise software, and mission-critical data systems. She facilitates the procurement of complex technical services that underpin NASA’s scientific research, simulation environments, and aerospace engineering operations. Her responsibilities include coordinating requirements, managing solicitation processes, and ensuring alignment with federal acquisition regulations to support secure, scalable, and mission-ready software infrastructure. She typically handles acquisitions for custom software development, systems integration, and advanced computational services essential to NASA’s space exploration and aeronautics programs. While specific contractor names are not available, her procurement patterns indicate consistent engagement with a diverse ecosystem of vendors, including both large systems integrators and specialized small businesses capable of delivering secure, high-integrity software solutions. Her working relationships reflect a collaborative, requirement-driven approach, emphasizing technical compliance, cybersecurity readiness, and agile delivery methodologies to meet NASA’s demanding operational timelines and mission-critical standards. Desmarais demonstrates a balanced commitment to socioeconomic contracting, with nearly 62.5% of her acquisitions directed toward small business set-asides, including 8(a) competed and Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5. This reflects a deliberate strategy to foster innovation through diverse vendors while maintaining competition and mission effectiveness. Her contracting patterns prioritize inclusion of small disadvantaged businesses, aligning with federal goals to expand opportunities in high-tech federal procurement. Her primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 541511 (Custom Computer Programming Services) and 541715 (Research and Development in Physical and Engineering Sciences), with additional activity in relay and industrial control manufacturing and infrastructure-related construction. This underscores her expertise in securing software development, computational research, and embedded systems that support NASA’s advanced computing and mission control environments. Her technical domain spans enterprise software architecture, high-performance computing platforms, and secure data analytics infrastructure.