Matthew C. Sheridan

Matthew C. Sheridan serves as a Contract Specialist within the U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), where he plays a pivotal role in acquiring mission-critical technologies that enhance the tactical superiority of special operations forces. He manages the full lifecycle of complex procurements spanning research and development, rapid prototyping, and field-deployable systems, with a focus on advanced communications, electro-optical sensors, and navigation instrumentation. His work directly supports USSOCOM’s mandate to deliver innovative, low-latency solutions under demanding operational conditions, ensuring compliance with Defense Acquisition Regulation and Federal Acquisition Regulation frameworks. Sheridan cultivates strategic relationships with a diverse base of contractors, primarily engaging firms specializing in high-technology manufacturing and professional scientific services. He collaborates closely with defense primes and mid-tier innovators capable of delivering classified and controlled unclassified information systems, often under time-constrained prototyping schedules. His contracting approach emphasizes agility, technical rigor, and vendor responsiveness, fostering partnerships with entities that can rapidly adapt to evolving battlefield requirements and integrate with existing SOF platforms. His procurement portfolio reflects a strong preference for open competition, with 85.7% of actions awarded without set-asides, yet he maintains a consistent 14.3% commitment to total small business set-asides under FAR 19.5. This balance enables USSOCOM to leverage commercial innovation while ensuring opportunities for qualified small businesses with niche technical capabilities in defense electronics and mission support services. Sheridan’s primary NAICS focus includes 541990 for specialized technical services, 334511 for sensor and guidance system manufacturing, 334220 for wireless communications equipment, and 541370 for geospatial mapping services. He routinely procures next-generation tactical radios, night vision systems, unmanned sensor arrays, and real-time battlefield data fusion tools, demonstrating deep expertise in the convergence of commercial off-the-shelf technologies and military-qualified hardware.