Michelle L. Riisma

Michelle L. Riisma serves as a key procurement professional within the U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), responsible for managing complex acquisitions that directly support the operational readiness of elite special operations forces. She focuses on securing advanced technology solutions aligned with USSOCOM’s mission of maintaining tactical superiority through rapid innovation, particularly in domains such as secure communications, electro-optical systems, and field-deployable sensor platforms. Her work ensures that mission-critical capabilities are acquired with speed, precision, and technical rigor, often through agile contracting methods that support rapid prototyping and iterative development cycles. Riisma operates at the intersection of operational need and acquisition policy, translating warfighter requirements into executable contract vehicles that meet stringent performance and security standards. Riisma’s contracting patterns reflect a reliance on a broad ecosystem of defense technology providers, including prime contractors with deep expertise in military-grade communications, signal processing, and embedded systems. While specific vendor names are not disclosed in available data, her portfolio consistently engages firms capable of delivering classified, low-volume, high-performance solutions under tight timelines. Her working relationships emphasize technical collaboration, early contractor involvement, and performance-based acquisition strategies that prioritize outcomes over rigid specifications. Riisma’s procurement activity is entirely non-set-aside, with 100% of contracts awarded under full and open competition. This reflects USSOCOM’s operational imperative to access the broadest possible pool of technical expertise without socioeconomic restrictions, prioritizing capability over certification status. While small business participation is not formally incentivized in her portfolio, vendors of all sizes are evaluated strictly on technical merit, past performance, and ability to meet urgent operational timelines. Her primary focus is on NAICS 541519 (Other Computer Related Services), encompassing a wide array of mission-critical IT and systems engineering services, including software development for tactical platforms, secure network integration, AI-enabled data fusion, and rapid prototyping of field-deployable software tools. Riisma’s expertise lies in acquiring bespoke, high-assurance digital systems that enable real-time situational awareness and command control in denied or contested environments.