Tara Elms Henderson

Tara Elms Henderson serves as a Contract Specialist within the W6QK Acc-pica organization under the Department of the Army, where she plays a pivotal role in executing mission-critical acquisitions that sustain combat readiness and force projection. She manages the full lifecycle of contracts for defense manufacturing, facility services, and operational support systems, with a focus on ammunition production modernization, installation infrastructure maintenance, and logistics enablers. Her work ensures the timely delivery of reliable munitions supply chains and combat system sustainment, aligning directly with the agency’s strategic priorities in military modernization and operational continuity. Henderson maintains established working relationships with key defense contractors including NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION, GENERAL DYNAMICS OTS (WILKES BARRE), LLC, and THE LOCKWOOD GROUP LLC, among others. She routinely engages with large prime contractors for complex, high-integrity systems while also integrating qualified small businesses into the supply chain. Her procurement approach emphasizes performance-based contracting, technical compliance, and risk mitigation across mission-essential deliveries. Her contracting portfolio reflects a strong preference for open competition, with 72.4% of awards issued without set-aside designations. Nevertheless, she actively supports socioeconomic goals through Total Small Business Set-Asides (17.2%) and 8(a) competed awards (10.3%), demonstrating a balanced commitment to both operational efficiency and small business development within the defense industrial base. Henderson’s technical expertise centers on NAICS categories including 541519 (Other Computer Related Services), 332710 (Machine Shops), and 332994 (Small Arms, Ordnance, and Ordnance Accessories Manufacturing). She specializes in procuring precision-fabricated metal components, ordnance production equipment, and industrial maintenance services critical to munitions readiness and base-wide operational support, positioning her at the intersection of defense manufacturing and logistics sustainment.