Melanie Rakers

Melanie M. Rakers serves as a key procurement lead within the Telecommunications Division (HC1013) of the Defense Information Systems Agency, supporting the Department of Defense’s mission to secure and modernize global communications infrastructure. She manages complex acquisitions for mission-critical telecom systems, including secure network connectivity, virtual private network deployments, and legacy infrastructure modernization. Her work ensures resilient, interoperable communications across military and federal operations, with a focus on high-capacity, encrypted, and scalable solutions that meet DoD cybersecurity and resilience standards. Rakers maintains consistent contracting relationships with leading telecom and infrastructure providers, including AT&T Technical Services Company, Inc., AOC CONNECT LLC, and Norfolk Fiber, LLC. These partnerships reflect a preference for vendors with proven expertise in fiber-optic deployment, secure network integration, and enterprise-grade telecommunications services. Her procurement approach emphasizes long-term vendor collaboration, technical compliance, and operational continuity, often resulting in repeat engagements with contractors who demonstrate reliability in delivering mission-essential telecom capabilities under stringent DoD requirements. Her contracting portfolio demonstrates a balanced commitment to small business participation, with over one-third of awards set aside for total small businesses under FAR 19.5 and nearly 11% reserved for SBA-certified Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Businesses. While the majority of acquisitions remain open to all competitors, her pattern of targeted set-asides reflects a deliberate strategy to broaden vendor diversity and enhance innovation through small business engagement. Rakers’ primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 238210 (Electrical Contractors and Wiring Installation), reflecting heavy investment in physical network infrastructure such as cabling, conduit, and telecom pathway installations. She also regularly procures services under NAICS 238990 and 493110, indicating involvement in specialty trade contracting and secure warehousing of telecom equipment. Her technical domain expertise centers on the physical and logical integration of secure, hardened communications systems that support DoD’s global operational tempo.