Karissa M. Porter

Karissa M. Porter serves as a Contract Specialist within the Department of the Air Force’s FA8771 AFLCMC GBK, where she plays a pivotal role in executing mission-critical information technology acquisitions. She manages the full lifecycle of procurement actions for custom software development and digital system integration, ensuring alignment with Air Force cyber resilience and cloud modernization priorities. Her work directly supports the delivery of secure, scalable command and control platforms, AI-enabled analytics tools, and workforce-enablement solutions essential to air and space operations. Porter specializes in complex, performance-based acquisitions under FAR Part 12 and Part 37, emphasizing outcome-driven contract structures and agile development methodologies. While specific contractor names are not disclosed in available records, Porter maintains a dynamic network of vendors specializing in enterprise software engineering, DevSecOps, and cloud-native application development. She engages with both large systems integrators and niche technology firms capable of delivering tailored solutions under tight operational timelines. Her contracting approach emphasizes collaboration, risk mitigation, and compliance with DoD cybersecurity standards such as NIST SP 800-53 and CMMC frameworks, fostering long-term vendor partnerships built on technical excellence and mission alignment. Porter exhibits a strong commitment to small business participation, with 33.3% of her acquisitions structured as Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5. She consistently prioritizes opportunities for small businesses without imposing additional socioeconomic set-asides, reflecting a strategic focus on capability over certification status. This approach ensures competitive, innovative solutions while expanding the pool of qualified IT vendors capable of supporting Air Force digital transformation. Her procurement portfolio is exclusively focused on NAICS 541511—Custom Computer Programming Services—reflecting deep specialization in bespoke software development, system modernization, and mission-specific application engineering. She procures solutions ranging from secure web and mobile applications to AI-driven data pipelines and integrated analytics platforms, all designed to enhance decision-making in contested and degraded environments.