Deborah A McFarland

Deborah A. McFarland serves as a Contract Specialist within the National Continuity SECTION (CON50) of the Federal Emergency Management Agency under the Department of Homeland Security, where she manages the acquisition of critical communications and infrastructure resilience solutions. Her role centers on ensuring the timely and compliant procurement of technical services and equipment essential to sustaining national operational continuity during emergencies. She oversees full lifecycle contracting activities—from market research and solicitation development to contract award and administration—for mission-critical systems that support secure, redundant, and survivable communications networks. McFarland collaborates with a diverse range of contractors specializing in advanced communications technology and systems integration, including firms with expertise in secure wireless infrastructure, emergency broadcast systems, and mission-critical software platforms. Her procurement approach emphasizes performance-based outcomes and risk mitigation, fostering long-term partnerships with vendors capable of delivering high-assurance, low-latency solutions under austere conditions. While no specific contractor relationships are currently identified, her pattern of engagement reflects a preference for vendors with proven experience in federal continuity and emergency response environments. Her contracting activity is exclusively non-set-aside, reflecting the urgent, mission-critical nature of the acquisitions she manages, where speed, capability, and technical fidelity take precedence over socioeconomic preferences. This approach ensures maximum competition among qualified providers without compromising operational readiness. McFarland’s primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 541519 (Other Computer Related Services), encompassing cybersecurity, network resilience, and emergency communications support, as well as NAICS 334220 (Radio and Television Broadcasting and Wireless Communications Equipment Manufacturing), where she procures hardened radio systems, satellite terminals, and interoperable communication hardware. Her technical domain expertise centers on secure, survivable communications architectures designed to operate under degraded or contested conditions.