Catherine A. Markardt

Catherine A. Markardt serves as a Contracting Officer for the Federal Bureau of Investigation, supporting the agency’s mission to advance forensic science, digital intelligence, and secure communications through strategic procurement of specialized technical systems. She manages the acquisition lifecycle for high-integrity laboratory instrumentation, cyber-enabled investigative tools, and evidence analysis services critical to national security and criminal investigations. Her portfolio emphasizes mission-critical procurements that ensure the reliability, scalability, and security of forensic and digital evidence systems, aligning with the FBI’s modernization priorities in forensic laboratory capabilities and analytical instrumentation. Markardt maintains consistent working relationships with key vendors including VISTA OUTDOOR SALES LLC and SOUTHERN POLICE EQUIPMENT COMPANY, INC., primarily sourcing law enforcement equipment, field-ready forensic tools, and mission-support hardware. Her contracting patterns reflect a preference for established suppliers with proven capabilities in durable, compliant, and tamper-evident equipment, often requiring compliance with federal standards such as NIST and DOJ technical specifications. She engages with vendors through competitive sealed bidding and negotiated acquisitions, ensuring rigorous technical evaluation and performance-based contract management. Her procurement strategy reflects a balanced commitment to small business participation, with 40% of her awards structured as Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5, demonstrating a deliberate effort to foster innovation and capacity-building among qualified small firms. While the majority of her acquisitions are unrestricted, she actively leverages socioeconomic programs to expand the vendor base and promote equitable access to federal opportunities. Markardt’s primary NAICS focus includes 334516 for analytical laboratory instrument manufacturing, reflecting her specialization in procuring advanced mass spectrometers, DNA sequencing systems, and digital evidence extraction tools. She also oversees services under 561611 for background investigation support and 541990 for specialized technical consulting, underscoring her expertise in both hardware procurement and mission-critical professional services that underpin the FBI’s forensic and intelligence operations.