Armetia Cato

Armetia Cato serves as a Contract Specialist within the Incident Support Section (ISS70) of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, where she plays a critical role in executing rapid-response procurement actions to sustain life-sustaining operations during domestic emergencies. Her responsibilities include managing the full lifecycle of contracts for essential services that support disaster response, infrastructure resilience, and survivor assistance. She specializes in acquiring mission-critical supplies and logistics solutions under time-sensitive conditions, often leveraging simplified acquisition procedures and emergency authority mechanisms to ensure operational continuity in austere environments. Her work directly supports FEMA’s mandate to deliver timely, scalable, and compliant procurement outcomes that align with national preparedness objectives. While specific contractor names are not available, Cato maintains consistent partnerships with a diverse pool of vendors capable of delivering emergency-ready goods and services under FAR Part 13 and Part 18 authorities. Her contracting patterns reflect a preference for agile, responsive suppliers who can meet stringent delivery timelines and performance standards under dynamic conditions. She frequently engages with firms possessing specialized capabilities in logistics, perishable supply chains, and emergency support services, fostering relationships that prioritize reliability, scalability, and compliance with federal acquisition regulations. Cato demonstrates a strong commitment to socioeconomic contracting, with nearly 52% of her awards structured as full and open competitions, while actively promoting small business participation through targeted set-asides. Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses receive the largest share of set-aside awards at 21.7%, followed by Total Small Business Set-Asides at 17.4% and HUBZone Set-Asides at 13.0%. Her procurement strategy reflects a deliberate effort to expand opportunities for underserved businesses while maintaining mission readiness. Her primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 561730 (Landscaping Services), supporting site preparedness and environmental management at emergency operations centers; NAICS 424210 (Drugs and Druggists’ Sundries Merchant Wholesalers), ensuring access to medical consumables; and NAICS 311991 (Perishable Prepared Food Manufacturing), critical for feeding displaced populations. She possesses deep expertise in procuring time-sensitive, high-volume goods and services essential to sustaining human life during crisis response.