Carolyn Ward

Carolyn Ward serves as a Contracting Officer within the Incident Support Section (ISS70) of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, where she plays a pivotal role in securing critical services that sustain emergency response and recovery operations across domestic disasters. Responsible for the full lifecycle of procurement actions, she manages complex acquisitions for logistics, environmental remediation, and specialized support services essential to maintaining operational continuity in austere environments. Her work directly enables FEMA’s mission to protect lives and restore infrastructure by ensuring timely, compliant, and mission-critical contract awards that align with national preparedness priorities. While specific contractor relationships are not publicly enumerated, Carolyn engages with a broad spectrum of vendors capable of delivering high-demand, time-sensitive services under emergency conditions. She fosters partnerships with firms possessing specialized capabilities in hazardous waste management, maritime freight logistics, pharmaceutical administration, and industrial textile production—sectors vital to survivor support and field operations. Her contracting approach emphasizes performance-based outcomes, rigorous compliance with federal acquisition regulations, and rapid mobilization of qualified contractors to meet dynamic operational needs. Carolyn’s procurement portfolio reflects a strict focus on open competition, with 100% of her acquisitions conducted without set-asides for 8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB, or other socioeconomic categories. This reflects a mission-driven prioritization of capability and speed over socioeconomic preferences, ensuring that the most qualified and capable vendors—regardless of size or certification—are selected to meet urgent, life-sustaining requirements during national emergencies. Her primary industry focus centers on NAICS 524292 (Pharmacy Benefit Management), 562211 (Hazardous Waste Treatment), 483111 (Deep Sea Freight Transportation), and 314910 (Textile Bag and Canvas Mills). These categories reflect her expertise in procuring medical supply chain services, environmental cleanup solutions, large-scale logistics infrastructure, and durable containment materials—all essential to supporting mass care, decontamination, and survivor logistics during large-scale incidents.