Laura Paskman-Syms

Laura Paskman-Syms serves as a Contracting Officer with the Virginia Contracting Activity under the Defense Intelligence Agency, where she plays a pivotal role in executing mission-critical acquisitions to support national intelligence operations. She manages a diverse portfolio of contracts focused on technical services essential to classified data exploitation, systems analysis, and operational intelligence support. Her work centers on procuring advanced engineering, software development, and security-related services that enable real-time intelligence processing and mission-critical infrastructure. As a key liaison between the agency and industry, she ensures compliance with DoD acquisition regulations while advancing technological capabilities for high-consequence intelligence missions. Paskman-Syms cultivates strategic partnerships with a broad spectrum of vendors, primarily small businesses and specialized technical service providers. While specific contractor names are not publicly disclosed, her procurement patterns reflect consistent engagement with firms possessing clearance-ready personnel and expertise in intelligence systems design, cybersecurity, and mission support services. Her working relationships emphasize performance-based contracting, rigorous source selection, and long-term vendor collaboration to sustain mission continuity across classified environments. She demonstrates a strong and deliberate commitment to small business participation, with 85.7% of her acquisitions structured as total small business set-asides under FAR 19.5. This reflects a strategic emphasis on fostering innovation and capacity within the small business community, particularly among firms certified under 8(a), HUBZone, and SDVOSB programs. Her contracting approach prioritizes socioeconomic goals without compromising mission readiness, ensuring equitable access to high-value intelligence contracts. Her primary NAICS focus areas include Facilities Support Services (561210), Security Systems Services (561621), and All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (541990), underscoring her expertise in procuring integrated support for secure facilities, physical and cyber security infrastructure, and specialized technical consulting. She routinely awards contracts for custom software, systems engineering, and operational security services aligned with the Defense Intelligence Agency’s mission to enhance national intelligence capabilities through cutting-edge technical solutions.