Carlee Wehrsig

Carlee Wehrsig supports the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service in executing strategic procurement actions that enable critical agricultural research infrastructure. Though their formal title is not listed, their role centers on managing acquisitions for specialized laboratory equipment, scientific services, and facility-related contracts essential to sustaining ARS’s national research network. They handle complex procurements under FAR Part 15, often involving competitive sealed bids and negotiated contracts for high-precision instrumentation and technical support services, ensuring alignment with federal research priorities and scientific compliance standards. Wehrsig collaborates with a diverse array of vendors, including analytical instrument manufacturers, scientific services firms, and specialty trade contractors who provide niche technical expertise. Their contracting patterns reflect engagement with both large-scale suppliers of laboratory systems and agile small businesses capable of rapid deployment of field support and facility modifications. Vendor relationships are built on technical proficiency, regulatory compliance, and responsiveness to evolving research needs, with an emphasis on long-term service reliability and calibration support for mission-critical equipment. A significant portion of Wehrsig’s acquisitions—nearly 38%—are set aside for small businesses under FAR 19.5, demonstrating a strong commitment to socioeconomic contracting goals. While no specific 8(a), HUBZone, or SDVOSB preferences are dominant, the consistent use of total small business set-asides underscores a deliberate strategy to expand participation from qualified small firms in scientific and technical domains. This approach enhances innovation capacity while fostering a resilient, diverse supplier base aligned with USDA’s broader equity objectives. Primary procurement activity focuses on NAICS 334516 for analytical laboratory instruments and 541990 for professional scientific services, with additional emphasis on research and development in life sciences (541712) and specialty trade contracting (238990). Wehrsig’s expertise lies in acquiring precision measurement devices, field research support systems, and engineered facility components that directly enable USDA’s mission to advance agricultural science through cutting-edge, mission-aligned procurement.