Tom Phillips

Tom Phillips serves as a key procurement lead within the IT Contracting Division - PL83 of the Defense Information Systems Agency, where he manages the acquisition of mission-critical software solutions and IT services essential to sustaining and modernizing DoD information systems. His responsibilities encompass the full lifecycle of contract actions—from requirements definition and market research to award and performance oversight—primarily focusing on secure, interoperable computing environments that support national defense communications. He routinely handles complex, high-stakes procurements involving custom software development, cybersecurity enhancements, and legacy system modernization, ensuring alignment with DoD digital transformation priorities and NIST cybersecurity frameworks. Phillips works with a diverse base of IT vendors specializing in defense-grade software publishing and systems integration, including both large prime contractors and niche technical firms with proven expertise in secure cloud architectures, zero-trust frameworks, and mission-critical application development. His contracting patterns reflect a preference for established partners with demonstrated capability in handling classified environments and DoD compliance standards such as FedRAMP, RMF, and CMMC. While no single contractor dominates his portfolio, he consistently engages firms with prior experience in supporting DISA’s enterprise infrastructure and joint warfighting platforms. Phillips maintains a strict focus on open competition, with 100% of his acquisitions conducted without set-asides, reflecting the specialized nature and mission-critical urgency of the requirements he manages. This approach prioritizes technical capability and operational readiness over socioeconomic preferences, though he remains attentive to small business participation where it aligns with technical needs and market availability. His procurement activity is heavily concentrated in NAICS 513210 (Software Publishers), reflecting a core demand for bespoke defense software, enterprise platforms, and secure application suites. He also frequently procures services under NAICS 541519 (Other Computer Related Services), including systems engineering, DevSecOps support, and cybersecurity maintenance. His technical domain expertise centers on secure software lifecycle management, DoD cloud migration, and interoperable command and control systems.