Emily M. Harston

Emily M. Harston serves as a Contracting Officer within the W6QK Acc-apg Cont Ct Software Sector under the Department of the Army, where she leads the acquisition of mission-critical software systems, secure communications infrastructure, and data platforms essential to Army modernization and battlefield readiness. Her portfolio encompasses end-to-end contract management for IT services supporting command and control, intelligence processing, and network resilience across distributed operational environments. Harston specializes in complex, high-stakes procurements requiring compliance with DoD cybersecurity standards, including NIST SP 800-53 and RMF frameworks, ensuring delivered solutions meet stringent operational and security requirements. She maintains strategic relationships with key industry partners including British Telecommunications Public Limited Company, Liberty Communications, Inc., and Southwest Industrial Contractors & Riggers, Inc., reflecting a balanced approach to leveraging large-scale enterprise capabilities alongside specialized technical contractors. Her contracting patterns emphasize performance-based outcomes, integrated systems engineering, and lifecycle support, fostering long-term vendor collaboration grounded in technical excellence and mission alignment. Harston demonstrates a strong commitment to socioeconomic contracting, with an equal split between open competitions and Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5. She consistently prioritizes small business participation, ensuring eligible firms have equitable access to opportunities in software development and engineering services, without preference for specific socioeconomic categories such as 8(a), HUBZone, or SDVOSB, but maintaining broad inclusivity within the small business ecosystem. Her primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 541513 (Computer Facilities Management Services) and NAICS 541330 (Engineering Services), where she acquires managed IT infrastructure, systems integration, network operations, and technical engineering support. Her expertise centers on secure software deployment, enterprise systems management, and mission-focused IT modernization, ensuring the Army’s digital warfighting capabilities remain agile, scalable, and resilient.