Alan Zide

Alan Zide serves as a procurement specialist focused on advancing scientific and technical innovation through federal acquisitions. He manages the planning, solicitation, and award of contracts aligned with the agency’s mission to support cutting-edge research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences. His work ensures that federal investments in science are executed with rigorous compliance, competitive transparency, and technical precision, often engaging contractors capable of delivering complex R&D solutions under stringent regulatory and performance standards. Zide collaborates with a broad spectrum of contractors, including established research institutions, engineering firms, and specialized laboratories with proven capabilities in experimental design, data analytics, and laboratory automation. His contracting approach emphasizes performance-based outcomes, technical merit, and past performance evaluation, fostering long-term partnerships with vendors who demonstrate scientific rigor and adaptability. While no single contractor dominates his portfolio, he consistently engages firms with deep domain expertise in laboratory instrumentation, computational modeling, and applied scientific services. Zide’s procurement strategy reflects a strong preference for open competition, with 100% of his acquisitions conducted without set-aside designations. This indicates a focus on selecting the most technically qualified offerors regardless of socioeconomic status, prioritizing capability and innovation over categorical preferences. His approach aligns with mission-critical needs where specialized expertise outweighs socioeconomic targeting, though he remains compliant with all federal small business regulations. His primary focus lies in NAICS 541712—Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)—where he procures services such as applied physics research, materials testing, environmental modeling, and advanced engineering prototyping. He works closely with technical teams to define requirements for high-complexity, low-volume scientific endeavors, ensuring acquisitions support foundational research that drives national scientific advancement.