Sharon M. May

Sharon M. May serves as a Contract Specialist within the U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), where she plays a pivotal role in executing mission-critical acquisitions that support the technological superiority of elite special operations forces. Her responsibilities encompass the full lifecycle of procurement for advanced technical systems, with a focus on rapid prototyping, field-deployable solutions, and agile contracting methods aligned with USSOCOM’s innovation-driven mission. She routinely manages complex contracts for scientific and technical consulting services, as well as research and development initiatives in physical and engineering sciences, ensuring timely delivery of capabilities that enhance tactical communications, electro-optical systems, and sensor technologies under demanding operational timelines. Sharon collaborates with a diverse array of defense contractors and technical service providers, including firms specializing in rapid R&D, systems integration, and mission-specific engineering. While no single contractor dominates her portfolio, her contracting patterns reflect a preference for agile, non-traditional vendors capable of delivering high-impact, low-volume solutions through flexible contract vehicles such as OTAs and Indefinite-Delivery/Indefinite-Quantity (IDIQ) mechanisms. Her working relationships are characterized by close collaboration with technical stakeholders to translate operational requirements into enforceable, performance-based specifications. Sharon’s procurement activity is entirely non-set-aside, with 100% of her awards issued under full and open competition. This reflects USSOCOM’s emphasis on technical merit and speed over socioeconomic preferences, prioritizing capability and readiness over programmatic set-asides. While she does not routinely utilize 8(a), HUBZone, or SDVOSB programs, her approach aligns with USSOCOM’s mandate to acquire the most capable solutions without delay, regardless of vendor size or status. Her primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 541690 (Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services) and 541712 (Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences), underscoring her specialization in acquiring advanced engineering services, prototype development, and systems integration for next-generation special operations technologies. She is deeply experienced in procuring mission-critical R&D services that bridge the gap between emerging technologies and operational deployment.