Belal Hammad

Belal Hammad serves as a Contracting Specialist within the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, where he plays a pivotal role in executing procurements that advance federal nutrition assistance programs such as SNAP, WIC, and the National School Lunch Program. He manages a diverse portfolio of acquisition actions focused on research, evaluation, and technical consulting services that support evidence-based policy development and program modernization. His work ensures that FNS leverages contractor expertise to enhance program integrity, operational efficiency, and data-driven decision-making across national nutrition initiatives. Hammad cultivates strategic partnerships with firms specializing in social science research and technical consulting, engaging both large-scale service providers and small business vendors to deliver high-quality analytical and implementation support. While no specific contractor relationships are currently identifiable in the dataset, his procurement patterns reflect a preference for collaborative, performance-based engagements that emphasize measurable outcomes and program impact. He works closely with contractors to align deliverables with FNS’s mission of equitable access and program integrity. A strong advocate for socioeconomic equity in federal contracting, Hammad consistently applies a 50% total small business set-aside rate, demonstrating a deliberate commitment to expanding opportunities for small businesses under FAR 19.5. His contracting approach balances set-aside awards with open competitions, ensuring both competition and inclusion. This dual strategy reflects FNS’s broader goals of fostering innovation while maintaining fiscal responsibility and broad vendor participation. His primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 541720 (Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities), where he sources evaluations, behavioral studies, and program impact analyses, supplemented by NAICS 541690 services for technical consulting on nutrition policy and systems modernization. His domain expertise centers on social science methodologies, survey design, data analytics, and program evaluation frameworks critical to federal nutrition assistance.