Tara D Whitaker

Tara D. Whitaker serves as a key procurement lead within the Telecommunications Division (HC1013) of the Defense Information Systems Agency, responsible for managing complex acquisitions that sustain and modernize the Department of Defense’s global communications infrastructure. She oversees contracts for secure network solutions, telecommunications equipment, and mission-critical IT services, ensuring alignment with DoD standards for resilience, interoperability, and cyber hygiene. Her work directly supports the transition from legacy telecom systems to next-generation, software-defined networks and secure virtual private networks, enabling reliable connectivity across deployed military and federal operations. Whitaker maintains consistent partnerships with leading telecommunications and systems integration contractors, including AT&T Technical Services Company, Inc., AOC CONNECT LLC, and Norfolk Fiber, LLC. These relationships center on the procurement of high-capacity fiber-optic infrastructure, wireless communications equipment, and managed network services. Her contracting approach emphasizes vendor reliability, technical compliance with DoD security protocols, and long-term service sustainment, fostering stable, performance-driven partnerships with vendors capable of delivering mission-critical telecom solutions under demanding operational conditions. Her procurement portfolio exhibits a strong preference for open competition, with 93.3% of awards issued without set-aside designations, reflecting a focus on technical capability over socioeconomic classification. While small business participation is limited to 6.7%—primarily through Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5—her approach prioritizes mission readiness and system interoperability, aligning with DISA’s mandate for scalable, secure, and standardized infrastructure. Whitaker’s primary acquisition focus lies in NAICS 423430 (computer and peripheral equipment wholesaling) and 541519 (other computer-related services), reflecting her expertise in procuring commercial-off-the-shelf networking hardware, software-defined networking platforms, and integrated telecom support services. She regularly engages with vendors specializing in radio and telecommunications equipment manufacturing, demonstrating deep technical fluency in secure communications systems and enterprise-grade network architecture.