LaMario B. Cato

LaMario B. Cato serves as a key procurement professional within the Department of the Air Force’s FA7014 office, supporting the sustainment and modernization of mission-critical Air Force capabilities through strategic acquisitions of professional and technical services. He manages a diverse portfolio of contracts centered on systems engineering and technical assistance (SETA), enterprise IT modernization, cybersecurity infrastructure, and mission analytics, ensuring alignment with Air Force operational readiness goals. His role involves end-to-end acquisition planning, solicitation development, and contract award execution, with a focus on delivering high-integrity technical support to sustain advanced aerospace systems and digital enterprise environments. Cato maintains strong, ongoing relationships with principal contractors including SIGMATECH, INC. and PURDUE UNIVERSITY, reflecting a preference for established providers with deep expertise in defense-grade technical services and research-driven solutions. His contracting patterns indicate consistent collaboration with vendors capable of delivering complex, long-term support in systems engineering, data analytics, and cybersecurity architecture, often requiring specialized clearances and compliance with DoD acquisition regulations. These partnerships are characterized by repeat engagements and performance-based contract structures designed to ensure continuity and mission fidelity. His procurement strategy exhibits a balanced commitment to socioeconomic objectives, with approximately half of his acquisitions set aside for Women-Owned Small Businesses and the other half open under general competition. This approach reflects a deliberate effort to foster diversity in the defense industrial base while maintaining access to high-capability vendors. He actively leverages the Women-Owned Small Business program to expand the pool of qualified technical service providers without compromising mission requirements. Cato’s primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 511210 (Software Publishers), reflecting a strong demand for custom software development, data analytics platforms, and enterprise information systems, alongside NAICS 332994, indicating procurement of specialized ordnance-related components and support systems. His technical domain expertise spans secure IT environments, mission-critical software integration, and defense logistics systems, positioning him at the intersection of cybersecurity, software engineering, and tactical equipment sustainment.