Kazankina Stewart

Kazankina Stewart serves as a key procurement professional within the Office of Procurement Operations at the Information Technology Acquisition Center (70RTAC), supporting the Department of Homeland Security’s mission to modernize critical digital infrastructure and enhance cyber resilience. She manages complex acquisitions for advanced IT and cybersecurity services, with a focus on mission-critical systems that secure federal networks and enable intelligence operations. Her work centers on procuring cloud-enabled platforms, network security solutions, and integrated IT services that align with DHS’s strategic imperatives for digital transformation and threat mitigation. She plays a pivotal role in ensuring acquisitions adhere to federal contracting regulations while delivering scalable, secure, and interoperable technology solutions. Kazankina collaborates with a diverse range of vendors, including large systems integrators, cybersecurity specialists, and small businesses capable of delivering specialized technical services. Her procurement patterns reflect a balanced approach between large-capacity contractors and agile, niche providers with deep expertise in federal cyber operations. She fosters long-term vendor partnerships grounded in performance accountability, compliance with NIST and FISMA standards, and the ability to rapidly adapt to evolving threat landscapes. Her engagement model emphasizes competitive bidding, technical evaluation rigor, and post-award oversight to ensure mission readiness. Her contracting portfolio demonstrates a strong commitment to socioeconomic diversity, with nearly 38% of awards directed toward small business set-asides—particularly Women-Owned Small Businesses and 8(a) competed contracts. This reflects a deliberate strategy to expand the pool of qualified federal IT vendors while promoting innovation through diverse perspectives. She actively encourages participation from underrepresented small businesses in high-demand technical categories, aligning with broader federal goals for equitable contracting. Kazankina’s primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 541519 (Other Computer Related Services), with significant activity in computer systems design (541512) and IT management consulting (541611). She routinely acquires services such as zero-trust architecture implementation, identity and access management, DevSecOps integration, and cybersecurity risk assessments—domains requiring deep technical proficiency and compliance with federal cybersecurity frameworks. Her expertise ensures that acquisitions deliver not only functional capability but also enduring security and operational sustainability.