Bernard Howell

Bernard Howell serves as the Program Point of Contact for the Indian Health Service, playing a critical role in aligning procurement activities with the agency’s mission to deliver culturally competent health care to American Indian and Alaska Native communities. He facilitates the acquisition of essential medical technology, diagnostic equipment, and clinical infrastructure, ensuring that contracting decisions support frontline service delivery in underserved tribal areas. His work bridges program needs with acquisition execution, coordinating closely with contracting officers to source solutions that meet stringent federal compliance standards while addressing unique tribal health requirements. Howell maintains consistent relationships with a select group of contractors deeply experienced in serving Native communities, including McKesson Corporation for medical supplies and IT systems, Flintco, LLC for facility infrastructure, and tribal-specific entities such as The Native American Rehabilitation Association of the Northwest and Tribal Health, LLC. These partnerships reflect a preference for vendors with proven cultural competency and on-the-ground presence in tribal regions, fostering long-term collaboration grounded in trust and shared mission alignment. His procurement strategy is heavily weighted toward socioeconomic set-asides, with nearly half of all acquisitions reserved under the Indian Small Business Economic Enterprise (ISBEE) program and an additional half under the broader Small Business Set-Aside (FAR 19.5). This dual focus underscores a deliberate commitment to empowering Native-owned small businesses and ensuring economic opportunity flows directly to tribal economies. Howell’s technical focus centers on NAICS categories related to electronic computer manufacturing and computer systems design services, reflecting a strategic investment in modernizing clinical diagnostics and health information technology. He regularly procures medical-grade computing hardware, telecommunications equipment, and integrated software systems that support remote patient monitoring, electronic health records, and data interoperability across dispersed tribal health facilities.