Vanessa McCollum

Vanessa A. McCollum serves as a Contracting Officer within the Telecommunications Division (HC1013) of the Defense Information Systems Agency, where she leads the acquisition of mission-critical telecommunications and information technology services to sustain and modernize the Department of Defense’s global communications infrastructure. She is responsible for managing full lifecycle procurements, from requirements definition and market research through contract award and performance oversight, ensuring compliance with federal acquisition regulations and national security standards. Her portfolio primarily encompasses secure network solutions, virtual private network deployments, and custom software services that enhance interoperability across military and federal operations. Ms. McCollum 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 reflect a focus on established vendors with proven capabilities in secure telecom engineering, fiber-optic infrastructure, and enterprise-grade network services. Her contracting approach emphasizes performance-based outcomes, technical rigor, and risk mitigation, often leveraging indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) and multiple-award contract vehicles to ensure responsive and scalable support. Ms. McCollum’s procurement portfolio reflects no set-aside preferences, with all awards conducted under full and open competition. While she does not prioritize socioeconomic programs such as 8(a), HUBZone, or SDVOSB, her approach aligns with agency directives to prioritize technical capability and mission readiness over socioeconomic classifications. Her primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 541511 (Custom Computer Programming Services) and 541519 (Other Computer Related Services), with a strong emphasis on secure software development, network automation, and systems integration for defense-grade environments. She specializes in procuring tailored IT solutions that support secure cloud migration, zero-trust architecture, and real-time command and control communications, demonstrating deep expertise in defense telecommunications modernization.