Brian Fien

Brian Fien serves as the primary procurement lead for the USDA Agricultural Research Service’s Agricultural Research Facility Management and Procurement Division, where he orchestrates the acquisition of mission-critical laboratory instrumentation, precision equipment maintenance, and specialized research services essential to advancing agricultural science and food security. His responsibilities encompass the full lifecycle of complex procurements, from needs assessment and market research to contract award and performance monitoring, ensuring compliance with federal acquisition regulations while supporting high-throughput biological and environmental research. He routinely manages acquisitions for analytical systems, calibration services, and facility-specific technical support critical to ARS’s scientific infrastructure. Fien maintains consistent working relationships with a select group of specialized vendors, including Germfree Laboratories, LLC for controlled-environment research systems; Georgia Commercial and Residential Elevator, LLC for facility infrastructure upgrades; and J’s Associates, LLC for technical support services. His procurement approach emphasizes long-term vendor partnerships with firms possessing deep technical expertise in laboratory instrumentation and precision equipment maintenance, favoring suppliers with proven capabilities in servicing advanced analytical platforms such as mass spectrometers and chromatography systems. His contracting patterns reflect a strong commitment to small business participation, with over 40% of awards structured as total small business set-asides under FAR 19.5. While no set-aside preferences are formally designated, he consistently prioritizes qualified small businesses capable of delivering niche scientific and technical services, aligning with USDA’s broader socioeconomic goals without relying on 8(a), HUBZone, or SDVOSB-specific programs. Fien’s primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 334516 (Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing), reflecting his specialization in acquiring high-end analytical equipment for agricultural research. He also frequently procures services under NAICS 811210 for electronic and precision equipment repair, and NAICS 541380 for independent testing laboratories, demonstrating deep domain expertise in supporting cutting-edge agricultural science through technically sophisticated, mission-critical acquisitions.