Laura Paskman-Syms

Laura Paskman-Syms serves as a Contracting Officer with the Virginia Contracting Activity (HHM402), a key acquisition arm of the Defense Intelligence Agency under the Department of Defense. She manages complex procurements supporting classified intelligence operations, specializing in technical services that enable real-time data exploitation, systems analysis, and mission-critical intelligence processing. Her portfolio includes acquisitions for advanced software development, sensor system integration, and engineering research in physical and applied sciences, directly enabling the agency’s national security mission. She ensures compliance with federal acquisition regulations while aligning contract strategies with evolving intelligence requirements. Paskman-Syms cultivates collaborative relationships with a diverse base of contractors, including niche technology firms, systems integrators, and specialized engineering service providers capable of handling classified environments. She frequently engages with vendors possessing DoD clearance infrastructure and experience in secure software development lifecycles, ensuring technical readiness and compliance with intelligence community standards. Her contracting approach emphasizes performance-based outcomes, risk mitigation, and long-term vendor reliability over transactional procurement. She demonstrates a strong commitment to socioeconomic diversity, with 67.6% of her awards structured as small business set-asides under FAR 19.5. This reflects a deliberate strategy to empower small businesses, particularly those certified under HUBZone, 8(a), and WOSB programs, to contribute to high-stakes intelligence missions. Her contracting patterns prioritize inclusive competition while maintaining rigorous technical and security thresholds. Her primary NAICS focus areas include 561990 (All Other Support Services) and 541990 (Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services), reflecting demand for specialized analytical and operational support. She also routinely procures through 334511 (Search and Navigation Systems Manufacturing), indicating active engagement with advanced sensor, guidance, and targeting technologies. Her expertise lies at the intersection of defense science, secure systems integration, and mission-driven acquisition, ensuring that cutting-edge capabilities reach intelligence operators with speed and precision.