TechNet Cyber 2026

Carlen Capenos
Director, Office of Small Business Programs
Defense Information Systems Agency


Carlen Capenos serves as the Director of the Office of Small Business Programs for the Defense Information Systems Agency. She is responsible for ensuring small businesses are provided with maximum opportunities to participate at both the prime contract and subcontract levels. In fiscal year 2025, DISA awarded $1.49 billion in prime contracts to small businesses, representing 22.2% of DISA’s dollars obligated. Previously, Capenos was a Contracting Branch Chief for DISA. She led teams providing contracting services to customers throughout the Department of War. She had an Unlimited Warrant and awarded the $7.5 billion Systems Engineering, Technology and Innovation multiple award contract vehicle. SETI won the DOW’s Vanguard’s Verdure Award, which recognized the small business team that best demonstrated industrial competitiveness and innovative solutions that balance the development of efficient buying methods and utilization of small business. Capenos served as The Chief of the Secure Environment Contracting Branch for the Baltimore District U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. She and her branch awarded $5 billion in contracts. The highlight was the awards of the $1.5 billion Utah Data Center and the $650 million High Performance Computing Center. Carlen worked 10 years for the U.S. Air Force in England, Los Angeles and Guam. She is level III certified in contracting. She is a graduate of the North Atlantic Division’s Executive Leadership Program, graduated the Excellence in Government Leadership Development Program and completed the USACE Pilot Program for Contracting and earned a construction management certificate from Auburn University.

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