Rachel M Schmittling

Rachel Schmittling serves as a Contract Specialist within the Telecommunications Division (HC1013) of the Defense Information Systems Agency, where she plays a pivotal role in procuring mission-critical telecommunications and information technology services to sustain the Department of Defense’s global communications infrastructure. She manages the full lifecycle of acquisitions for secure network solutions, including virtual private networks, fiber-optic connectivity, and custom software development, ensuring compliance with federal procurement regulations and alignment with DISA’s strategic modernization goals. Her work directly supports the agency’s mission to deliver resilient, high-capacity, and interoperable communications for military and federal operations. Schmittling maintains consistent contracting relationships with key industry partners including AT&T Technical Services Company, Inc., Aerospace & Commercial Technologies, LLC, Liberty Communications, Inc., AOC Connect LLC, and Norfolk Fiber, LLC. These vendors are frequently engaged for complex, technical services involving network architecture, secure data transmission, and telecom system integration. Her procurement approach emphasizes performance-based outcomes and long-term vendor collaboration, fostering partnerships with firms that demonstrate proven expertise in defense-grade telecommunications and cybersecurity-enabled infrastructure. Her contracting patterns reflect a strong preference for open competition, with 83.3% of awards issued without set-aside designations, while 16.7% are reserved for HUBZone-certified small businesses. This indicates a balanced commitment to broad market access and targeted socioeconomic opportunities, prioritizing capability and reliability over mandatory set-asides while still supporting qualified HUBZone contractors in specialized technical domains. Schmittling’s procurement focus centers on NAICS 541511 (Custom Computer Programming Services) and 541519 (Other Computer Related Services), reflecting her specialization in bespoke software development, network management tools, and IT systems integration. She also regularly procures services under NAICS 511210 (Data Processing and Hosting) and 541611 (Management Consulting), demonstrating expertise in cloud-enabled telecom platforms, cybersecurity compliance, and operational support services critical to modernizing DoD communications networks.