Brenda L. Jefferson

Brenda K. Jefferson serves as a Contract Specialist within the Contracts and Acquisitions Management unit of the Department of Education, where she plays a pivotal role in executing strategic procurements that advance federal education policy and institutional capacity. She manages the full lifecycle of professional services contracts, with a primary focus on research, evaluation, and technical support services critical to postsecondary education systems, regulatory compliance, and federal student aid infrastructure. Her acquisitions are designed to support evidence-based decision-making and modernize national data collection frameworks, ensuring alignment with statutory mandates and federal procurement regulations under the FAR. Jefferson maintains a consistent working relationship with LPE-STRATEGIES LLC, a key contractor providing specialized research and analytical services in the social sciences and humanities. Her contracting patterns reflect a preference for established, high-capacity vendors with demonstrated expertise in educational research and policy analysis, while maintaining open competition to ensure value and innovation. She engages contractors through competitive negotiated procurements, often utilizing performance-based service contracts to drive measurable outcomes. Her set-aside preferences reflect a balanced approach to socioeconomic contracting, with 28.6% of her awards designated as Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5, demonstrating a deliberate commitment to expanding opportunities for small businesses. The majority of her procurements remain open to full and open competition, consistent with agency priorities to maximize efficiency while ensuring equitable access. Jefferson’s procurement portfolio is overwhelmingly concentrated in NAICS 541720 (Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities), reflecting her deep specialization in academic research, policy evaluation, and data analysis services. She also procures educational support services under NAICS 611710 and occasional administrative consulting under NAICS 541611, reinforcing her expertise in supporting the Department’s mission through rigorous, data-driven professional services.