Richard Risso

Richard Risso serves as a Senior Contracting Officer within the Public Buildings Service’s PBS R10 Construction Acquisitions Branch, part of the General Services Administration. In this role, he leads the acquisition and contract administration of mission-critical federal construction projects across Alaska and the Pacific Northwest, overseeing design-build, construction, and modernization initiatives for secure, resilient, and energy-efficient federal facilities. His portfolio encompasses complex, high-stakes procurements requiring integrated project delivery, performance-based specifications, and compliance with federal construction standards, including the Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards and energy resilience mandates. Risso ensures acquisitions align with GSA’s strategic goals of operational continuity, sustainability, and infrastructure modernization. Risso maintains collaborative relationships with a diverse base of prime contractors and subcontractors specializing in commercial and institutional construction, mechanical and electrical systems, and security infrastructure. He fosters long-term vendor partnerships grounded in performance accountability, risk-sharing, and early contractor involvement, particularly in design-build environments. His procurement approach emphasizes contractor pre-qualification, technical capability assessments, and post-award performance monitoring to ensure delivery of high-quality, code-compliant facilities under stringent federal requirements. Risso demonstrates a strong commitment to small business participation, with 23.5% of his acquisitions structured as total small business set-asides under FAR 19.5. While the majority of his contracts remain open competition, he consistently prioritizes small business inclusion through targeted outreach, mentor-protégé programs, and subcontracting plan enforcement. His contracting patterns reflect a balanced approach that supports socioeconomic objectives without compromising project complexity or mission readiness. His primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 236220 (Commercial and Institutional Building Construction), with significant activity in plumbing, heating, and air-conditioning (238220) and electrical contracting (238210). He also regularly procures security systems services (561621) and engineering services (541330), demonstrating deep technical expertise in integrated building systems, facility resilience, and performance-based outcomes.