Paul Heard

Paul Heard serves as a key procurement lead within the Telecommunications Division (HC1013) of the Defense Information Systems Agency, where he manages critical acquisitions to secure and modernize the Department of Defense’s global communications infrastructure. His responsibilities include overseeing the procurement of high-capacity, resilient telecom systems, secure virtual private networks, and interoperable network solutions that support military and federal operations. He specializes in complex, mission-critical technology acquisitions aligned with DISA’s strategic imperative to replace legacy systems with next-generation, cyber-resilient telecommunications platforms. Heard maintains consistent partnerships with leading defense and commercial telecom contractors, including AT&T Technical Services Company, Inc., Aerospace & Commercial Technologies, LLC, Liberty Communications, Inc., AOC Connect LLC, and Norfolk Fiber, LLC. These relationships reflect a focus on vendors with proven expertise in fiber-optic network deployment, secure data transmission, and enterprise-grade telecommunications integration. His contracting patterns emphasize long-term vendor collaboration with firms capable of delivering end-to-end telecom solutions under stringent DoD security and compliance standards. His procurement portfolio reflects no set-aside preferences, with 100% of awards issued under full and open competition. This indicates a prioritization of technical capability, performance history, and mission readiness over socioeconomic classifications, aligning with the Telecommunications Division’s urgent need for scalable, secure, and rapidly deployable infrastructure. The division’s sole NAICS focus on 334111 (Electronic Computer Manufacturing) underscores Heard’s specialization in procuring custom-built telecommunications hardware, network appliances, and integrated computing systems designed for defense-grade environments. His work centers on the acquisition of mission-specific electronics, including routers, switches, encryption modules, and hardened communication endpoints—ensuring the DoD’s global network remains secure, agile, and interoperable across all operational domains.