Tara L. Horstmann

Tara L. Horstmann serves as a Contracting Officer within the Telecommunications Division (HC1013) of the Defense Information Systems Agency, where she plays a pivotal role in securing and modernizing the Department of Defense’s global communications infrastructure. She manages the full lifecycle of complex acquisitions for mission-critical telecommunications and network services, with a focus on deploying secure virtual private networks, enhancing interoperability across military platforms, and transitioning legacy systems to resilient, next-generation architectures. Her portfolio emphasizes technical services that ensure high-capacity, low-latency connectivity for defense and federal operations, aligning closely with DISA’s strategic imperative to maintain assured command and control. Horstmann maintains consistent working relationships with key contractors including AT&T Technical Services Company, Inc., Aerospace & Commercial Technologies, LLC, Liberty Communications, Inc., AOC Connect LLC, and Norfolk Fiber, LLC. These partnerships are centered on delivering advanced telecom engineering, network design, fiber deployment, and secure communications solutions. Her procurement approach reflects a preference for established industry leaders with proven capabilities in large-scale, mission-essential telecom systems, fostering long-term vendor collaboration to meet evolving operational demands. Her contracting activity shows a 100% preference for full and open competition, with no set-asides designated for 8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB, or other socioeconomic categories. This reflects a mission-driven focus on technical capability and operational readiness over socioeconomic preferences, prioritizing performance, scalability, and security in every acquisition. Horstmann’s procurement portfolio is heavily concentrated in NAICS 541512 (Computer Systems Design Services) and 541519 (Other Computer Related Services), with significant activity in 517919 (Other Telecommunications), 541712 (Research and Development in Physical Sciences), and 541330 (Engineering Services). She specializes in procuring network architecture design, secure data transport solutions, fiber optic infrastructure, and systems integration services essential to sustaining the DoD’s global communications backbone.