Arlene A. Blade

Arlene A. Blade serves as a Contracting Officer for the 256-NETWORK Contract Office 16 (36C256) within the Department of Veterans Affairs, where she leads the acquisition of critical healthcare infrastructure and facility support services essential to veteran care delivery. Her portfolio encompasses the procurement of electromedical equipment, facility maintenance systems, and environmental services that sustain and modernize VA hospitals, clinics, and residential care facilities. She exercises full contracting authority under FAR and VA supplements, managing competitive and non-competitive acquisitions to ensure timely, compliant, and mission-critical delivery of services that directly impact veteran health outcomes. Blade maintains consistent working relationships with key contractors including VETMEDPROPERTY LLC, MILLBROOK SUPPORT SERVICES INC, SI PROPERTY INVESTMENTS LLC, BRISTON CONSTRUCTION, LLC, and 336 AT SOUTH MEDICAL LTD, reflecting a focus on specialized vendors capable of delivering precision medical equipment maintenance, facility upgrades, and operational support services. Her contracting patterns demonstrate a preference for established contractors with demonstrated expertise in healthcare facility systems, while maintaining rigorous performance oversight and contract compliance protocols. Her procurement strategy prioritizes small business participation, with over 42% of awards directed toward socioeconomic categories, notably Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB) at 31%, alongside Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5 at 11.3%. This reflects a deliberate commitment to empowering veteran-owned enterprises and fostering a diverse supplier base aligned with VA’s mission of veteran economic inclusion. Blade’s technical focus centers on NAICS categories including 721110 (facility operations support), 811210 (electromedical equipment repair), 238220 (HVAC and plumbing systems), and 541620/562211 (environmental and hazardous waste services). Her expertise lies in procuring complex, regulated services that require technical compliance with OSHA, EPA, and healthcare facility standards, ensuring that VA infrastructure remains safe, functional, and mission-ready.