Yolanda Harlan

Yolanda Harlan serves as a Contracting Officer at the W6RN USA Geospatial Center under the Department of the Army, where she leads the acquisition of mission-critical geospatial intelligence capabilities to support land, air, and cyber domain operations. Responsible for managing the full lifecycle of contracts—from market research and solicitation to award and closeout—she ensures that technical solutions align with the Center’s strategic priorities in high-resolution 3D mapping, real-time terrain analysis, and battlefield situational awareness. Her portfolio centers on advanced software and systems services that enhance geospatial data processing, visualization, and integration for operational decision-making. Harlan cultivates partnerships with a diverse pool of technology providers specializing in geospatial software development and systems integration. While no single contractor dominates her award profile, she consistently engages firms with proven expertise in custom geospatial programming, algorithmic modeling, and secure data architecture. Her contracting approach emphasizes performance-based outcomes, technical rigor, and vendor accountability, fostering long-term collaborations with vendors capable of delivering agile, scalable solutions in classified and unclassified environments. Her procurement patterns reflect a strong preference for full and open competition, with 100% of her acquisitions conducted without set-asides. This indicates a focus on technical merit and capability over socioeconomic classifications, prioritizing mission readiness and solution quality above mandated small business targets. Harlan’s primary NAICS focus lies in custom computer programming services, computer systems design, and other computer-related services—all critical to developing and sustaining geospatial platforms. She procures advanced software tools for terrain modeling, imagery analysis, GIS integration, and real-time data fusion, working closely with vendors who possess expertise in geospatial standards such as NGA’s GeoBIM, OGC protocols, and DoD-compatible data formats. Her technical domain expertise ensures that acquired systems meet the Army’s stringent requirements for interoperability, security, and operational tempo.