Dale L. Rupright

Dale Rupright serves as a key procurement liaison within the Telecommunications Division (HC1013) of the Defense Information Systems Agency, supporting the secure modernization and operational sustainment of the Department of Defense’s global communications infrastructure. Though holding no formal title, Rupright plays a critical secondary role in managing the acquisition lifecycle for mission-critical telecom services, including network infrastructure, secure virtual private networks, and interoperable communication systems. Their work directly enables DISA’s mission to deliver resilient, high-capacity connectivity across military and federal operations, with a focus on transitioning legacy systems to next-generation secure architectures. Rupright maintains consistent working relationships with a core group of prime contractors, including AT&T Technical Services Company, Inc., Aerospace & Commercial Technologies, LLC, Liberty Communications, Inc., AOC Connect LLC, and Norfolk Fiber, LLC. These partnerships are primarily centered on wired telecommunications carrier services and reseller solutions, reflecting a preference for established vendors with proven capabilities in secure network deployment and fiber-based infrastructure. The contracting patterns indicate a reliance on experienced, large-scale providers with deep domain expertise in DoD-compliant telecom systems. Set-aside preferences are overwhelmingly skewed toward open competition, with 90.2% of acquisitions conducted without socioeconomic set-asides. Only 9.6% are designated as total small business set-asides under FAR 19.5, and a minimal 0.3% are competed under the 8(a) program, indicating a procurement strategy prioritizing technical capability and operational readiness over socioeconomic preferences. The procurement portfolio is heavily concentrated in NAICS 517111 (Wired Telecommunications Carriers), accounting for nearly 80% of activity, with additional focus on NAICS 517121 (Telecommunications Resellers). This reflects deep expertise in procuring fiber-optic networks, carrier-grade bandwidth services, and managed telecom solutions that support secure, high-availability communications for defense operations.