Melissa Mitchell

Melissa Mitchell serves as a key procurement lead within the FA8773 Acc 38 Cons agency under the Department of the Air Force, where she manages acquisitions critical to cyberspace operations and space security infrastructure. Her role centers on securing mission-critical IT services and formalized cyber training programs that sustain Air Force readiness in high-tempo operational environments. She oversees the full lifecycle of contract actions—from market research and solicitation to award and performance monitoring—for technical services supporting secure communications, sensitive computing facilities, and cyber operations training pipelines. Her procurement portfolio is strategically aligned with the agency’s mandate to advance resilient, next-generation cyber and space capabilities. Mitchell cultivates partnerships with a diverse range of vendors, including specialized IT service providers, cyber training academies, and air transportation support firms. While no single contractor dominates her portfolio, she consistently engages both large prime contractors with cyber domain expertise and small businesses capable of delivering agile, tailored solutions. Her contracting patterns reflect a balanced approach—favoring competitive, open solicitations while actively integrating certified small businesses through set-aside mechanisms to ensure innovation and resilience in the supply base. Her procurement strategy prioritizes socioeconomic diversity, with an equal split between 8(a) competed set-asides and no set-aside awards. This reflects a deliberate commitment to expanding opportunities for small disadvantaged businesses in the national security technology sector, particularly those with cybersecurity and training credentials. She actively leverages the 8(a) program to build a pipeline of capable small business partners who can meet the agency’s rigorous technical and security standards. Mitchell’s primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 488190 (Other Support Activities for Air Transportation) and NAICS 611420 (Computer Training), underscoring her specialization in facility support for secure computing environments and formalized cyber operations instruction. She procures services including cyber range development, secure network operations training, simulation-based learning systems, and logistics support for classified infrastructure—ensuring the Air Force maintains a technically proficient, operationally ready cyber workforce.