Jim Russo

Jim Russo serves as Deputy Program Manager for the GSA/FAS Center for IT Schedule Program, where he plays a pivotal role in advancing federal acquisition of mission-critical information technology infrastructure. He supports the program’s mandate to deliver pre-vetted, scalable procurement pathways for telecommunications and managed IT services, ensuring agencies can rapidly deploy secure, cloud-enabled solutions. His responsibilities include overseeing the administration of IT Schedule 70 and related contract vehicles, evaluating vendor compliance, and guiding acquisition strategies aligned with modernization priorities such as network modernization, unified communications, and managed infrastructure services. He works closely with contracting specialists and technical evaluators to ensure acquisitions meet federal cybersecurity and interoperability standards. Russo collaborates with a broad ecosystem of IT service providers, including large systems integrators and specialized telecom vendors, all of whom hold General Services Administration schedules. His working relationships are characterized by a focus on performance-based contracting, continuous compliance monitoring, and lifecycle management of IT delivery contracts. He engages with vendors through structured solicitations, contract modifications, and performance reviews, fostering transparent, results-driven partnerships that prioritize reliability and innovation in federal IT delivery. Russo’s procurement patterns reflect a strict preference for open competition, with 100% of acquisitions conducted without set-asides. While he does not prioritize socioeconomic categories such as 8(a), HUBZone, or SDVOSB for these specific procurements, his approach ensures broad market access and competitive fairness across all vendor sizes, aligning with the Center’s mandate to deliver efficient, agency-wide solutions. His primary technical focus lies in NAICS 517410 — Satellite Telecommunications — where he oversees the acquisition of secure satellite-based communications, managed network services, and related infrastructure solutions. His domain expertise includes microwave and geosynchronous satellite systems, VSAT networks, and encrypted data transport platforms, supporting federal agencies requiring resilient, high-bandwidth connectivity in remote or mission-critical environments.