Alan Elder

Alan Elder serves as a Contract Specialist within the Contracts and Acquisitions Management unit of the U.S. Department of Education, where he plays a pivotal role in executing strategic procurements that advance educational policy, research, and institutional capacity. He manages the full lifecycle of professional services contracts, ensuring alignment with federal acquisition regulations and the agency’s mission to strengthen federal student aid systems and evidence-based decision-making. His portfolio primarily includes complex service-based acquisitions supporting data infrastructure, policy analysis, and technology modernization initiatives critical to postsecondary education compliance and reporting. Alan maintains a consistent working relationship with LPE-STRATEGIES LLC, a key contractor providing specialized research and analytical services in support of education policy development. His contracting patterns reflect a preference for long-term, performance-based engagements with firms capable of delivering high-quality, mission-critical professional services. He collaborates closely with vendor teams to ensure deliverables meet rigorous standards for data integrity, regulatory adherence, and operational scalability. His procurement approach reflects a balanced commitment to socioeconomic goals, with approximately 27% of awards directed toward small business set-asides, including 8(a) competed contracts and Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5. While the majority of acquisitions remain open to all competitors, Alan actively promotes equitable access for small and disadvantaged businesses, ensuring compliance with federal socioeconomic objectives without compromising acquisition efficiency. Alan’s technical expertise centers on NAICS 541720 (Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities) and 541512 (Computer Systems Design Services), reflecting his focus on data analytics, policy evaluation, and digital system modernization. He frequently procures custom programming, system integration, and research services that support federal education data systems, regulatory reporting frameworks, and institutional capacity-building initiatives. His domain knowledge spans educational data governance, compliance automation, and evidence-based program evaluation.