Cassandra Sterba

Cassandra Sterba serves as a Contract Specialist within the IBC Acquisition Services Directorate (140D04) of the Department of the Interior’s Departmental Offices, where she plays a pivotal role in executing professional and technical service acquisitions that support federal land management and resource stewardship. Her responsibilities encompass the full lifecycle of contract actions—from solicitation and evaluation to award and administration—focusing on high-precision services critical to aviation logistics, real estate valuation, scientific research, and systems design. Sterba ensures compliance with federal acquisition regulations while aligning procurements with the Directorate’s mission to sustain public trust assets through expert technical support. She maintains consistent working relationships with key contractors including Phoenix Air Group, Inc., Papillon Airways Inc., Mathemtica Inc., Brainerd Helicopters, Inc., and HMC Helicopter Service LLC, reflecting a pattern of engagement with specialized aviation, data analytics, and technical services providers. These partnerships are typically formed through competitive sealed bidding and request for proposals, emphasizing performance-based outcomes and mission-critical deliverables in remote and environmentally sensitive operational zones. Sterba exhibits a balanced approach to socioeconomic contracting, awarding approximately half of her contracts as total small business set-asides under FAR 19.5, while the other half remain open to all competitors. This reflects a deliberate strategy to foster small business participation without compromising access to specialized capabilities, demonstrating strong alignment with federal small business goals without reliance on 8(a), HUBZone, or SDVOSB-specific set-asides. Her procurement focus is concentrated in NAICS 518210 for computing infrastructure and data processing services, and NAICS 541430 for graphic design services, indicating a growing demand for digital transformation tools, geospatial visualization, and data management platforms to support land use planning and public reporting. Her expertise lies in acquiring IT-enabled solutions that enhance operational transparency and decision-making across federal landholdings.