Amber Smith

Amber Smith serves as a key procurement professional within the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service, supporting the agency’s mission to advance scientific solutions for agricultural productivity and food safety. She manages the acquisition of specialized laboratory instrumentation, precision farming equipment, and proprietary agricultural inputs critical to cutting-edge research in crop science and livestock management. Her work ensures that ARS laboratories maintain state-of-the-art analytical capabilities, enabling data-driven advancements in biotechnology and sustainable agriculture. Smith handles complex, technical solicitations under FAR Part 15, often coordinating with scientific stakeholders to define performance-based requirements for high-value research infrastructure. Her primary contractor relationship is with McKenzie Construction & Site Development LLC, a firm engaged in site development and infrastructure support for ARS research facilities. This partnership reflects her focus on mission-critical capital improvements, including laboratory renovations and field research site enhancements. While McKenzie is her most frequently engaged vendor, Smith also collaborates with a diverse pool of specialized suppliers, including niche manufacturers of agricultural inputs and analytical equipment, fostering long-term vendor relationships grounded in technical compliance and delivery reliability. Smith exhibits a balanced approach to socioeconomic contracting, with nearly half of her acquisitions structured as Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5, demonstrating a strong commitment to small business participation. While no other specific set-aside categories dominate, her portfolio consistently prioritizes small business eligibility, aligning with USDA’s broader goals of inclusive economic opportunity in rural and science-driven sectors. Her procurement focus centers on NAICS 541714 (biotechnology R&D), 333111 (farm machinery manufacturing), and 311119 (animal food manufacturing), reflecting deep technical expertise in life sciences and agricultural production systems. She routinely procures advanced spectrometers, automated planting systems, and specialized feed formulations, ensuring research teams have access to precisely calibrated tools and inputs essential for reproducible scientific outcomes.