Alicia Henson

Alicia Henson serves as a Contracting Officer at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), part of the U.S. Department of Commerce, where she manages the acquisition of technical services and specialized equipment critical to advancing measurement science, semiconductor standards, and advanced manufacturing technologies. Her portfolio focuses on procuring high-precision instrumentation, data infrastructure, and professional consulting services that support NIST’s mission to enhance national industrial competitiveness and technological leadership. She routinely handles complex, mission-critical procurements under FAR Part 15, often involving technical evaluations and performance-based contract structures to ensure alignment with scientific and engineering requirements. Henson maintains consistent working relationships with a select group of contractors including Quality Biological, Inc., ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES AND LABORATORIES (ATL) INTERNATIONAL, INC., and PHYSICAL ELECTRONICS USA, INC., all of which provide specialized scientific instrumentation, analytical services, and technical support. Her procurement patterns reflect a preference for established vendors with proven expertise in metrology, materials characterization, and laboratory systems, fostering long-term partnerships grounded in technical reliability and regulatory compliance. Her contracting approach prioritizes open competition, with 85.7% of awards issued without set-aside designation, reflecting the specialized nature of NIST’s requirements. However, she actively supports small business participation through Total Small Business Set-Asides (FAR 19.5), consistently allocating 14.3% of awards to qualified small businesses capable of delivering niche scientific and technical services. Henson’s primary NAICS focus areas include 813920 (Professional Organizations), 541330 (Engineering Services), and 518210 (Computing Infrastructure Providers), indicating a strong emphasis on scientific consulting, engineering analysis, and data systems supporting NIST’s research infrastructure. Her expertise lies in procuring services that enable precision measurement, standards development, and digital transformation across high-tech manufacturing and semiconductor industries.