Cynthia M. Richardson

Cynthia M. Richardson serves as a Contract Specialist at the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), where she plays a pivotal role in executing international defense cooperation acquisitions aligned with U.S. national security objectives. She manages the full lifecycle of contracts supporting the transfer of defense equipment, training programs, and strategic engagement initiatives to allied and partner nations. Her work directly enables interoperability and capacity-building efforts across global security partnerships, with a focus on procurement actions governed by the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program and other security cooperation authorities. Richardson routinely handles complex, multi-year acquisitions requiring coordination with DoD components, foreign governments, and commercial vendors to ensure compliance with FAR, DFARS, and international agreements. Richardson maintains consistent working relationships with a broad spectrum of vendors, primarily merchant wholesalers of computer systems, peripheral equipment, and software, as well as providers of specialized computer-related services. While no single contractor dominates her portfolio, she engages regularly with firms possessing technical expertise in defense-compatible hardware, logistics support systems, and secure communications infrastructure. Her contracting approach emphasizes vendor reliability, supply chain resilience, and adherence to export control regulations, fostering partnerships that support both U.S. industrial base interests and international defense interoperability goals. A strong advocate for small business participation, Richardson consistently prioritizes socioeconomic set-asides, with nearly 70% of her acquisitions designated as total small business set-asides under FAR 19.5. She also actively promotes HUBZone and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) participation, reflecting a deliberate commitment to broadening economic opportunity within the national security supply chain. Her contracting patterns demonstrate a deliberate alignment with federal socioeconomic objectives, ensuring equitable access for qualified small businesses in high-demand technical sectors. Her primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 423430 (Computer and Computer Peripheral Equipment and Software Merchant Wholesalers), reflecting a strong emphasis on procuring secure, standards-compliant IT hardware and software solutions. She also regularly acquires office equipment and specialized computer services, indicating expertise in modernizing partner nation defense logistics and command systems. Richardson’s technical domain centers on defense-enabled information technology infrastructure essential for training, operational planning, and multinational coordination.