Patrick McFarlane

Patrick McFarlane serves as a key procurement lead within the Office of Procurement Operations at the Information Technology Acq Center (70RTAC), where he drives the acquisition of mission-critical information technology and cybersecurity solutions for the Department of Homeland Security. He specializes in securing advanced digital infrastructure, cloud-native platforms, and zero-trust architecture services that enhance national security operations. His portfolio centers on high-assurance systems, including secure cloud migration, identity and access management, and cyber resilience tools essential for protecting federal protective and intelligence networks. McFarlane ensures acquisitions align with DHS modernization priorities by applying rigorous risk-based evaluation methodologies and performance-based contracting standards. His contractor relationships are shaped by a strong emphasis on socioeconomic inclusion, with a near-exclusive focus on Women-Owned Small Businesses (WOSBs) as primary vendors. He cultivates long-term partnerships with WOSBs capable of delivering secure software development, managed detection and response services, and FedRAMP-authorized cloud solutions. While no large prime contractors dominate his portfolio, he consistently engages agile, certified small businesses with proven expertise in cybersecurity engineering and federal compliance frameworks such as NIST SP 800-53 and CMMC. McFarlane exhibits an unwavering commitment to small business participation, directing 100% of his procurement activity toward WOSB set-asides. This strategic preference reflects a deliberate effort to diversify the supplier base and empower underrepresented entrepreneurs in the national security technology ecosystem. His contracting patterns prioritize vendors with demonstrated capability in secure DevOps, continuous monitoring, and automated compliance tooling, ensuring that small business partners meet stringent federal cybersecurity standards. His technical domain expertise lies in procuring next-generation cybersecurity services, including endpoint detection and response, secure access service edge (SASE), and automated threat intelligence platforms. He focuses on NAICS categories related to cybersecurity consulting, cloud computing services, and information technology systems integration, ensuring acquisitions support the agency’s mission to modernize digital infrastructure while maintaining operational integrity and regulatory compliance.