Sophia Mo Contracting Officer

Sophia Mo serves as the primary contracting lead for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, overseeing the acquisition of advanced scientific and engineering systems critical to NASA’s deep space exploration and aeronautics research missions. She manages a diverse portfolio of procurement actions spanning research and development, specialized instrumentation, and mission-critical manufacturing, ensuring alignment with NASA’s strategic priorities in lunar and Martian systems, space-based sensors, and commercial LEO partnerships. Her work directly supports the agency’s mission to advance cutting-edge technologies through rigorous contract execution, performance monitoring, and compliance with federal acquisition regulations. Mo maintains consistent, high-impact relationships with leading aerospace and technical services contractors, including the California Institute of Technology, Jacobs Technology Inc., SpaceX, Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation, and KBR Wyle Services, LLC. These partnerships reflect a focus on prime contractors with proven expertise in systems engineering, space instrumentation, and mission operations support. Her contracting approach emphasizes performance-based outcomes, technical innovation, and long-term program sustainment, often involving complex, multi-year task orders under indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) vehicles. Her procurement patterns show a strong preference for full and open competition, with 92.9% of awards issued without set-asides, reflecting the technical complexity and scale of NASA’s mission requirements. The remaining 7.1% are awarded to service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses, indicating a measured but intentional commitment to socioeconomic programs where capabilities align with mission needs. Mo’s primary NAICS focus areas include research and development in physical and engineering sciences, analytical laboratory instrument manufacturing, and welding and soldering equipment production. She procures high-precision scientific instruments, specialized aerospace components, and advanced technical services essential to spacecraft development, planetary science missions, and ground-based testing infrastructure, demonstrating deep expertise in engineering-driven procurement within the space and defense technology sector.