Tamara Kelley

Tamara Kelley serves as a Contract Specialist within the Contract Administration Services Division (70RCAS) of the Department of Homeland Security, where she plays a pivotal role in executing the acquisition of professional, scientific, and technical services critical to national security operations. Her responsibilities include managing the full lifecycle of contracts—from requirements definition and solicitation to award and administration—ensuring compliance with federal procurement regulations while advancing the agency’s mission to strengthen cybersecurity, systems engineering, and research capabilities. She routinely handles complex service-based acquisitions requiring technical expertise in IT infrastructure, systems design, and workforce development. Tamara collaborates with a diverse range of vendors providing specialized technical services, including systems integrators, cybersecurity consultants, and training providers. While no single contractor dominates her portfolio, she fosters long-term partnerships with firms capable of delivering high-integrity, mission-critical solutions under strict compliance and performance standards. Her approach emphasizes performance-based contracting, clear statement of work development, and rigorous contractor oversight to ensure deliverables align with operational readiness goals. Her contracting patterns reflect a strong preference for full and open competition, with 100% of her acquisitions conducted without set-asides, indicating a focus on technical merit and capability over socioeconomic categorization. This approach underscores her commitment to securing the most qualified providers to meet complex national security needs, regardless of business size or certification status. Tamara’s primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 541519 (Other Computer Related Services) and 541512 (Computer Systems Design Services), with significant activity in 611430 (Professional and Management Development Training) and 541990 (All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services). She consistently acquires services related to systems engineering, cybersecurity architecture, technical training programs, and specialized IT support, demonstrating deep domain expertise in federal technology modernization and workforce capability development.