Barbara D Horrell

Barbara D. Horrell serves as a Purchasing Agent responsible for managing the acquisition of specialized scientific and medical equipment and services. Her role is central to ensuring the agency’s operational readiness through timely, compliant procurement of high-precision instruments and laboratory supplies. She handles competitive solicitations under FAR Part 15 and frequently employs simplified acquisition procedures for lower-value procurements, prioritizing efficiency without compromising regulatory adherence. Her acquisitions span complex technical domains requiring stringent quality controls and technical evaluation criteria, positioning her as a key liaison between end-user scientists and vendor technical teams. While specific contractor names are not available, Horrell maintains a broad network of suppliers specializing in analytical instrumentation, biopharmaceutical manufacturing, and laboratory testing services. Her procurement patterns reflect a preference for established vendors with proven technical capabilities and quality management systems, particularly those capable of supporting calibration, maintenance, and compliance with ISO and GLP standards. She engages both large manufacturers and niche suppliers capable of meeting highly specific technical requirements, fostering long-term vendor partnerships grounded in reliability and regulatory alignment. Horrell’s contracting patterns demonstrate a strong emphasis on open competition, with 88.3% of awards issued without set-asides. Nevertheless, she consistently supports small business participation, allocating 11.0% of her portfolio to Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5 and a modest 0.7% to 8(a) competed contracts. This reflects a balanced approach—prioritizing market-wide competition while intentionally creating pathways for small businesses with relevant technical expertise to compete for niche opportunities. Her primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 334516 (Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing) and 325414 (Biological Product Manufacturing), indicating deep expertise in procuring chromatography systems, spectrometers, bioreactors, and related laboratory consumables. She also regularly acquires testing laboratory services (541380) and surgical supplies (339113), demonstrating proficiency in both capital equipment and ongoing operational procurement across life sciences and clinical support domains.