Alicia Brister

Alicia Brister serves as a key procurement professional within the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), part of the U.S. Department of Commerce, where she manages acquisitions critical to modernizing the nation’s public-safety communications infrastructure. Her work centers on securing next-generation wireless technologies, including components for the Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network and 5G-enabled systems, ensuring resilient, secure, and interoperable communications for first responders. She handles complex contracts for telecommunications hardware, spectrum management tools, and network integration services, aligning procurement strategy with NTIA’s mission to advance digital equity and national security through advanced telecom innovation. Brister maintains a strategic relationship with British Telecommunications Public Limited Company, a primary vendor for large-scale telecommunications infrastructure and network modernization services. Her contracting approach emphasizes long-term partnerships with vendors possessing deep expertise in public-safety broadband systems, wireless equipment, and secure communications platforms. She frequently engages with contractors capable of delivering turnkey solutions that meet stringent federal security and interoperability standards, fostering collaboration between industry leaders and specialized technical providers. Her procurement patterns reflect a strong commitment to small business participation, with over half of her awards structured as total small business set-asides under FAR 19.5. This demonstrates a deliberate effort to expand opportunities for small, disadvantaged, and minority-owned firms in the high-tech telecom sector. She consistently prioritizes socioeconomic contracting programs, creating pathways for small businesses to contribute to mission-critical infrastructure projects. Brister’s primary procurement focus lies in NAICS categories including 334419 (Other Electronic Component Manufacturing), 334220 (Radio and Television Broadcasting and Wireless Communications Equipment Manufacturing), and 423610 (Electrical Apparatus and Equipment Merchant Wholesalers). She specializes in acquiring wireless transmission hardware, spectrum-enabled devices, and network support services, reflecting deep technical expertise in public-safety radio systems, broadband equipment, and telecommunications supply chain logistics.