Jennifer Payne

Jennifer Z. Payne serves as a Contracting Officer with the U.S. Army Special Operations Command (USASOC), responsible for managing mission-critical acquisitions that support elite special operations forces. Her portfolio centers on professional and management development training, educational support services, and specialized instructional programs designed to enhance tactical proficiency, leadership, and doctrinal readiness. She executes full and open competitions as well as set-aside acquisitions under FAR Part 19, ensuring alignment with USASOC’s strategic objectives to sustain operational excellence through tailored procurement solutions. Her work directly enables the readiness of special operations units by securing high-value services that bridge capability gaps in training, technology, and operational support. Ms. Payne maintains consistent working relationships with key contractors including AMD INTERNATIONAL TECHNOLOGIES LLC, SOF LANDING LLC, TERRESTRIS, LLC, and STRATEGIC SOLUTIONS UNLIMITED, INC. These partnerships reflect a preference for vendors with proven expertise in defense-oriented training systems, mission support logistics, and specialized technical services. Her contracting approach emphasizes performance-based outcomes, risk mitigation, and contractor accountability, fostering long-term collaborations with firms that demonstrate deep domain knowledge in special operations environments. Her set-aside preferences reflect a balanced commitment to socioeconomic programs, with 26.7% of awards designated as total small business set-asides and 13.3% competed under the 8(a) program. While the majority of her acquisitions are conducted as no set-aside (60%), she actively prioritizes opportunities for small disadvantaged businesses and ensures compliance with FAR 19.5 and 19.8 regulations to promote equitable access and competition. Ms. Payne’s primary NAICS focus includes 541990 (Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services), 541511 (Custom Computer Programming), and 532412 (Machinery and Equipment Leasing), indicating a strong emphasis on instructional design, software development for tactical systems, and specialized equipment support. Her technical domain expertise spans mission-critical training platforms, simulation systems, and operational readiness tools critical to USASOC’s global mission.