Shirley B. Wilkes

Shirley B. Wilkes serves as a Contract Specialist within the Missile Defense Agency (MDA), where she plays a critical role in executing complex acquisitions for advanced missile defense systems. Her responsibilities include managing the full lifecycle of contracts for research, development, testing, and fielding of layered defense architectures, with a focus on midcourse and terminal-phase interception technologies. Wilkes ensures compliance with federal acquisition regulations while aligning procurements with MDA’s strategic mission to safeguard U.S. and allied forces against evolving ballistic missile threats. She routinely handles high-stakes, technical acquisitions involving sensor modernization, guided weapon integration, and systems engineering support. Wilkes maintains enduring relationships with leading defense prime contractors, including Lockheed Martin Corporation and Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation, as well as Jacobs Technology Inc. These partnerships are characterized by sustained collaboration on multi-year, technology-driven programs requiring rigorous systems integration and test validation. Her contracting approach emphasizes performance-based outcomes, risk mitigation, and technical fidelity, ensuring that contractors deliver mission-critical capabilities under demanding operational timelines and security requirements. Her procurement portfolio reflects a strong commitment to small business participation, with 40% of her awards structured as total small business set-asides under FAR 19.5. While the majority of contracts remain open to all competitors, Wilkes actively prioritizes opportunities for small businesses with proven expertise in defense R&D, fostering innovation and workforce diversity within the national security industrial base. Her primary procurement focus lies exclusively within NAICS 541712—Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences—reflecting her deep specialization in advanced defense technologies. She procures cutting-edge solutions in radar and tracking systems, kinetic and non-kinetic interceptors, command and control architectures, and mission-critical software development, all aligned with the MDA’s mission to advance integrated, multi-domain missile defense capabilities.