Crystal N. Palacios

Crystal N. Palacios serves as a key procurement lead within the Telecommunications Division (HC1013) of the Defense Information Systems Agency, where she manages acquisitions critical to securing and modernizing the Department of Defense’s global communications infrastructure. Her responsibilities encompass the end-to-end procurement of advanced telecommunications services, network modernization solutions, and mission-critical IT support systems. She specializes in complex, high-stakes contracts that ensure resilient, interoperable, and encrypted connectivity across military and federal operations, with a strong emphasis on transitioning legacy systems to secure, cloud-enabled architectures. Her portfolio includes both individual task orders and indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contracts aligned with DISA’s strategic imperatives. Palacios maintains consistent working relationships with a core group of trusted contractors, including AT&T Technical Services Company, Inc., Aerospace & Commercial Technologies, LLC, Liberty Communications, Inc., AOC Connect LLC, and Norfolk Fiber, LLC. These partnerships reflect a preference for vendors with proven expertise in secure network engineering, fiber-optic infrastructure deployment, and virtual private network (VPN) modernization. Her contracting approach prioritizes vendors with deep DoD compliance experience, particularly those capable of delivering end-to-end telecom solutions under stringent cybersecurity and interoperability standards. Her procurement patterns show a strong preference for open competition, with 87.5% of awards issued without set-aside designations, indicating a focus on technical capability over socioeconomic classifications. However, she maintains a consistent 12.5% allocation to Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5, demonstrating measured but deliberate support for small business participation in mission-critical telecom initiatives. Palacios primarily procures services under NAICS 541519 (Other Computer Related Services) and 541511 (Custom Computer Programming Services), reflecting her focus on tailored network solutions, systems integration, and managed infrastructure services. She also frequently acquires Computer Facilities Management Services (541513) and Administrative Management Consulting (541611), underscoring her role in optimizing operational efficiency across DoD telecom ecosystems. Her domain expertise lies in secure communications architecture, network resilience, and the transition to software-defined networking environments.