# State Department Expands Foreign Service Recruitment

The State Department plans to expand its Lateral Entry Pilot Program to recruit mid-career Foreign Service officers with expertise in AI and IT, commercial diplomacy, strategic competition, and foreign assistance. The department’s nearly $1 million April 2026 award to Military Hire for recruitment support is the clearest procurement signal; the report identifies no new solicitation or current hiring target.

- The recruitment-support award is identified as contract 19AQMM26C0400. Companies offering candidate outreach or recruitment services can use it as an indicator of the department’s contracting activity in this area.
- The planned expansion points to demand for candidates with specialized technical and policy expertise, but does not establish a separate procurement for AI or IT services.
- No new solicitation, hiring target, or submission deadline is reported, so contractors should not treat the program expansion as an open bid opportunity.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Professional Services
**Published:** October 30, 2026

### Government Entities
- U.S. Department of State (State Department)

### Vendors
- Military Hire (awardee)

### Sources
- [State Department seeks mid-career hires to join its ranks after widespread layoffs - Government Executive](https://www.govexec.com/management/2026/10/state-department-mid-career-diplomats-after-widespread-layoffs/416953) - GovExec.com