Mark J. Gazillo

Mark J. Gazillo serves as the Associate Director for the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) Assistant Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, overseeing the Defense Acquisition System’s strategic procurement initiatives under the Office of Small Business Programs (OSBP). In this leadership capacity, he guides policy implementation, ensures compliance with federal acquisition regulations, and promotes best practices across DoD components to enhance efficiency, transparency, and equitable market access. His role centers on shaping acquisition strategy for complex defense systems, technical services, and mission-critical support functions, ensuring alignment with national security objectives and statutory small business mandates. Gazillo collaborates closely with prime contractors across the defense industrial base, including systems integrators, engineering services firms, and technology innovators delivering advanced capabilities in cybersecurity, logistics modernization, and defense electronics. He fosters collaborative relationships with both large defense primes and emerging small businesses, encouraging teaming arrangements and mentor-protégé programs to strengthen supply chain resilience and innovation capacity. His procurement approach emphasizes performance-based contracting, risk-informed acquisition strategies, and long-term vendor partnerships grounded in accountability and mission readiness. A staunch advocate for socioeconomic equity in defense contracting, Gazillo champions the inclusion of 8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB, and WOSB firms across DoD acquisition portfolios. He actively promotes outreach initiatives, pre-solicitation engagement, and streamlined certification pathways to expand small business participation in high-value, mission-critical procurements. His leadership ensures that small business goals are embedded in acquisition planning, not treated as ancillary considerations. His industry focus spans critical defense sectors including information technology modernization, defense logistics and supply chain management, cybersecurity services, and engineering and technical support for weapons systems integration. He routinely interfaces with contractors delivering software-defined systems, cloud-enabled platforms, and mission-critical maintenance services, demonstrating deep familiarity with NAICS codes in 541330, 541512, 541611, and 334111. Gazillo’s expertise lies in bridging technical requirements with acquisition policy to ensure innovative solutions reach the warfighter efficiently and equitably.