Kristen Colyer

Kristen Colyer serves as a key procurement professional within U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), supporting the acquisition of mission-critical technologies that enable elite special operations forces to maintain tactical superiority. She manages complex contracts focused on advanced communications systems, next-generation sensor platforms, and specialized IT services essential for real-time situational awareness and operational agility. Her work directly supports USSOCOM’s strategic imperative to field cutting-edge, low-observable, and networked capabilities across global theaters, ensuring warfighters are equipped with resilient, secure, and interoperable systems. Colyer typically handles high-priority, classified, and time-sensitive acquisitions requiring rigorous compliance with DoD acquisition regulations and special operations-specific requirements. Her primary contractor relationship is with Shaver Foods LLC, a Fayetteville-based vendor that, despite its primary industry association, has been integrated into USSOCOM’s supply chain for specialized logistical or mission-support services. While her portfolio includes a narrow set of recurring vendors, Colyer’s contracting approach emphasizes performance-based outcomes over vendor diversity, reflecting the operational urgency and security constraints inherent to special operations procurement. Partnerships are typically established through competitive, non-set-aside pathways to ensure rapid deployment of mission-essential capabilities. Colyer’s contracting activity is overwhelmingly dominated by non-set-aside awards, with 91.7% of contracts awarded through full and open competition. Small business participation is minimal, comprising only 8.4% of total awards, split evenly between 8(a) competed and total small business set-asides under FAR 19.5. This pattern underscores a procurement strategy prioritizing speed, technical capability, and operational readiness over socioeconomic objectives, consistent with USSOCOM’s mission-critical environment. Her procurement focus is heavily concentrated in NAICS 541519 (Other Computer Related Services), reflecting a dominant need for cybersecurity-enabled IT support, data analytics, and mission planning software. Additional activity in 334220 and 334118 indicates procurement of secure radio systems and ruggedized computing peripherals, while 541990 and 334516 point to specialized scientific and analytical instrumentation. Colyer’s expertise lies in acquiring integrated, field-deployable technology systems that demand high reliability, encryption compliance, and rapid fielding timelines.