Stephanie R. Gilbert

Stephanie R. Gilbert serves as a Contract Specialist at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), where she plays a pivotal role in executing high-stakes, innovation-driven acquisitions aligned with DARPA’s mission to advance transformative military technologies. She manages complex procurement actions for research and development contracts spanning advanced computing, autonomous systems, bio-integrated technologies, and next-generation materials, often supporting rapid prototyping and high-risk, high-reward programs such as VITAL and PICASSO. Her work ensures timely and compliant acquisition of cutting-edge scientific capabilities critical to maintaining U.S. technological superiority. Gilbert maintains strategic relationships with a select group of specialized contractors, including AEROSPACE & COMMERCIAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC, AMD INTERNATIONAL TECHNOLOGIES LLC, SYSTEMS & TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH LLC, and ABBOTT LABORATORIES INC., reflecting her focus on technical innovation across defense, life sciences, and advanced engineering domains. Her contracting patterns emphasize collaboration with firms possessing deep domain expertise in R&D, systems integration, and scientific consulting, fostering agile partnerships that align with DARPA’s mission-critical timelines and technical rigor. She demonstrates a strong commitment to socioeconomic contracting, with half of her portfolio dedicated to total small business set-asides under FAR 19.5 and an additional 16.7% reserved for service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses (SDVOSBs). This reflects a deliberate strategy to cultivate a diverse supplier base capable of delivering novel solutions while expanding opportunities for qualified small businesses in the national security innovation ecosystem. Her primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 541690 (Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services), with significant activity in computer-related services and management consulting. She routinely procures advanced analytical services, algorithm development, and interdisciplinary research support, underscoring her expertise in acquiring technical consulting and R&D services critical to DARPA’s pioneering programs.