Barney Klehman is the Director of Contracting for the Missile Defense Agency (MDA). His responsibilities include contract planning, negotiation, award, administration and closeout for a budget of approximately $9B annually. The Missile Defense Agency consists of individual weapon systems (“elements”) which are integrated into a single system to provide a “layered” missile defense capability, called the Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS). Mr Klehman is a member of the Senior Executive Service, and has been at MDA since November 2004.

Prior to coming to MDA, Mr Klehman spent 26 years at the Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center (SMC). His last position there was Director of Contracting for the Space and Launch Control Systems Program Office, with contracting responsibility for both the Spacelift Range Program, providing range safety and tracking for launches at Cape Canaveral AFS and Vandenberg AFB; and the Air Force Satellite Control Network (AFSCN), which provides telemetry, tracking and control functions for Air Force and DOD space assets. Previously he spent 11 years as Director of Contracting for the NAVSTAR Global Positioning System (GPS).

Mr Klehman began his government career in 1972 as a Contract Price Analyst with Defense Contract Administration Services (now DCMA). He reviewed contractor proposals and prepared negotiation positions for procuring activities. In 1978 he transferred to the Air Force Space and Missile Systems Organization (now SMC) as a Contract Negotiator, acquiring launch vehicles, satellites, and ground systems. He subsequently worked in virtually every SMC program office in a variety of assignments, including Contract Negotiator, Contracting Officer, Deputy Director, or Director of Contracting. He also spent significant time in policy and staff support.