Linda A. Gates

Linda A. Gates serves as a Contract Specialist within the Telecommunications Division (HC1013) of the Defense Information Systems Agency, where she plays a pivotal role in executing mission-critical procurements to secure and modernize the Department of Defense’s global communications infrastructure. She manages a diverse portfolio of acquisitions focused on network modernization, secure virtual private networks, and resilient telecom systems, ensuring compliance with federal contracting regulations while aligning with DISA’s strategic objectives for interoperability and cyber resilience. Her work spans the full acquisition lifecycle—from market research and solicitation development to contract award and administration—supporting the delivery of mission-enabling telecommunications solutions across military and federal operations. Linda maintains consistent working relationships with key contractors including AT&T Technical Services Company, Inc., Aerospace & Commercial Technologies, LLC, Liberty Communications, Inc., AOC Connect LLC, and Norfolk Fiber, LLC. These partnerships reflect a preference for established vendors with proven expertise in fiber-optic deployment, network engineering, and secure communications systems. Her procurement approach emphasizes performance-based contracting and technical compliance, fostering long-term vendor collaboration to meet evolving operational demands while maintaining stringent security and reliability standards. While the majority of her acquisitions are conducted as open competitions, Linda demonstrates a strong commitment to small business participation, with approximately 30% of her awards structured as Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5. She actively leverages socioeconomic programs to expand opportunities for qualified small businesses, ensuring broad vendor participation without compromising mission requirements or technical integrity. Her industry focus centers on Custom Computer Programming Services (NAICS 541511), with significant activity in Electrical Contractors (238210), Electronic Computer Manufacturing (334111), and Surveying and Mapping Services (541370). This reflects her specialization in procuring tailored software solutions, secure network hardware, and geospatial infrastructure essential to modernizing DoD telecom systems and enabling data-driven command and control capabilities.