Aaron Lay

Aaron Lay supports the Public Buildings Service’s Special Programs Division within the General Services Administration, managing complex procurement initiatives for high-security federal infrastructure projects. His work centers on acquiring design, construction, and engineering services critical to national security and border protection facilities, with a focus on radiation detection systems and hardened building environments. He oversees the full lifecycle of acquisitions—from needs assessment to contract award and administration—ensuring compliance with federal procurement regulations and mission-critical performance standards. His portfolio includes large-scale construction and technical service contracts that require stringent security clearances and specialized technical expertise. Lay cultivates strategic partnerships with a diverse pool of qualified contractors, primarily small businesses with proven experience in secure facility construction and federal infrastructure engineering. He works closely with firms holding specialized clearances and certifications to deliver integrated solutions for sensitive government sites. His contracting patterns emphasize collaboration with vendors capable of meeting rigorous DHS and DoD compliance standards, fostering long-term relationships with contractors who demonstrate technical excellence and operational reliability in high-risk environments. A strong advocate for socioeconomic equity in federal contracting, Lay consistently prioritizes small business participation, with over 83% of his acquisitions set aside for small businesses under FAR 19.5, and approximately 16.7% reserved specifically for service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses. His procurement strategy actively promotes inclusion of SDVOSBs and other small business categories, aligning with GSA’s mission to expand economic opportunity while ensuring mission readiness. His primary technical focus lies in commercial and institutional building construction (NAICS 236220), with significant emphasis on architectural and engineering services (NAICS 541310 and 541330) and industrial construction (NAICS 236210). He procures integrated design-build solutions, radiation shielding systems, security-enhanced structural components, and specialized infrastructure for federal border and security operations, demonstrating deep domain expertise in secure facility development and federal construction standards.