Alexander Therkelsen

Alexander Therkelsen serves as a strategic procurement lead within the University of Massachusetts, overseeing acquisitions critical to modernizing campus infrastructure and supporting digital transformation initiatives. In his role, he manages the planning, solicitation, and award of professional services contracts aligned with the university’s mission to maintain resilient, technology-enabled academic and research environments. His portfolio primarily encompasses IT systems design, custom software development, and technical consulting services, ensuring compliance with state and federal procurement standards while advancing institutional goals in cybersecurity, data integration, and facility automation. Therkelsen collaborates with a diverse range of professional services vendors specializing in computer systems design and custom programming, fostering long-term partnerships with firms possessing deep expertise in higher education technology ecosystems. While no specific contractor relationships are currently documented, his procurement patterns indicate a preference for vendors with proven experience in campus-wide system modernization, cloud-enabled infrastructure, and compliance-driven software solutions. His approach emphasizes performance-based contracting and vendor accountability to ensure seamless integration with existing campus IT frameworks. Therkelsen’s contracting activity reflects a strong orientation toward open competition, with 100% of acquisitions classified as “No Set-Aside.” This indicates a focus on technical merit and vendor capability over socioeconomic preferences, though it does not preclude participation from small businesses that meet stringent technical requirements. His approach prioritizes outcome-driven procurement over mandated set-asides, aligning with the university’s operational efficiency objectives. His primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 541512 (Computer Systems Design Services) and 541511 (Custom Computer Programming Services), reflecting a deep specialization in enterprise software solutions, systems integration, and technical support services. He routinely procures services related to building automation systems, network modernization, data analytics platforms, and digital learning infrastructure, demonstrating expertise in the intersection of facility operations and information technology.