Ellen T. Crain

Ellen T. Crain serves as a Contract Specialist within the Telecommunications Division (HC1013) of the Defense Information Systems Agency, where she plays a critical role in acquiring mission-critical telecommunications and IT services that sustain the Department of Defense’s global communications infrastructure. Her procurement activities center on securing resilient, high-capacity network solutions, including secure virtual private networks and modernized telecom systems, ensuring interoperability across military and federal operations. She manages a diverse portfolio of acquisitions under FAR and DFARS guidelines, with a focus on complex, performance-based contracts requiring technical rigor and cybersecurity compliance. Crain maintains established relationships with key 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 defense-grade telecommunications, fiber optic deployment, and secure network integration. Her contracting patterns indicate a reliance on experienced, large-capacity service providers capable of delivering scalable, mission-essential solutions under stringent DoD security requirements. Her set-aside preferences show a strong emphasis on open competition, with 85.7% of acquisitions conducted without socioeconomic set-asides, while 14.3% are awarded as total small business set-asides under FAR 19.5. This reflects a balanced approach—prioritizing mission readiness while maintaining targeted opportunities for qualified small businesses in technical service categories. Crain’s procurement focus is concentrated in NAICS 541519 (Other Computer Related Services) and 541512 (Computer Systems Design Services), indicating deep expertise in network architecture, systems integration, and managed telecommunications support. She routinely procures services involving network modernization, cloud-enabled communications, and cybersecurity-compliant infrastructure, demonstrating specialized knowledge in DoD telecom modernization initiatives and mission-critical IT service delivery.