Cathy Scott

Cathy S. Scott serves as a Contracting Officer responsible for managing the acquisition of critical outpatient mental health and substance abuse services. In this role, she ensures compliance with federal procurement regulations while advancing the agency’s mission to deliver accessible, high-quality behavioral health care. Her portfolio is exclusively focused on NAICS 621420, encompassing contracts for clinical staffing, counseling services, case management, and integrated behavioral health programs delivered in outpatient settings. She exercises full contracting authority from solicitation through award and closeout, applying sound risk management and performance-based acquisition principles to secure effective, cost-efficient solutions. While specific contractor relationships are not publicly detailed, Ms. Scott maintains a robust network of service providers specializing in behavioral health delivery, including both large healthcare contractors and small, community-based organizations. Her procurement approach emphasizes performance outcomes, quality metrics, and compliance with clinical standards, fostering long-term vendor partnerships grounded in accountability and service excellence. She actively engages with industry through pre-solicitation outreach and market research to ensure solicitation requirements reflect current best practices in outpatient mental health care. Ms. Scott demonstrates a strong commitment to socioeconomic contracting, with the majority of her acquisitions—76.5%—conducted without set-asides, reflecting a preference for open competition. However, she consistently reserves 17.6% of opportunities for Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5 and allocates 5.9% specifically to HUBZone-certified firms, underscoring her dedication to expanding access for economically disadvantaged businesses in the behavioral health sector. Her deep specialization in NAICS 621420 positions her as a subject matter expert in outpatient behavioral health procurement. She designs solicitations that prioritize evidence-based practices, workforce qualifications, and cultural competency, ensuring contractors deliver services aligned with clinical guidelines and patient-centered care standards.