Cecelia V. Royster

Cecelia V. Royster serves as Deputy Chief at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), where she plays a pivotal role in overseeing the acquisition of scientific, technical, and operational services critical to NIST’s mission of advancing measurement science and industrial innovation. In this capacity, she guides the procurement strategy for high-precision research and development initiatives, ensuring alignment with federal standards and national priorities in semiconductors, advanced manufacturing, and physical sciences. Her portfolio includes complex, mission-critical contracts requiring technical rigor and compliance with federal acquisition regulations, particularly those supporting NIST’s laboratories and testbed facilities. Royster maintains longstanding partnerships with specialized vendors such as Quality Biological, Inc., ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES AND LABORATORIES (ATL) INTERNATIONAL, INC., and PHYSICAL ELECTRONICS USA, INC., firms that provide calibrated instrumentation, analytical services, and scientific supply chains essential to NIST’s experimental infrastructure. Her contracting patterns reflect a preference for established technical contractors with proven expertise in laboratory support, metrology equipment, and research enablement, indicating a focus on reliability, compliance, and scientific integrity over cost-driven sourcing. Her procurement activities show no reliance on socioeconomic set-asides, with 100% of awards issued under full and open competition. This reflects a mission-driven approach prioritizing technical capability and domain expertise over socioeconomic preferences, consistent with NIST’s need for highly specialized, non-commoditized services. Royster’s primary NAICS focus areas—541712 (R&D in physical and engineering sciences), 721110 (hotels and motels), and 813910 (business associations)—reveal a unique blend of core scientific procurement and logistical or administrative support functions. While the majority of spending targets advanced R&D services for standards development and calibration, the inclusion of hospitality and association contracting suggests she also manages facility operations and stakeholder engagement support, underscoring the broad operational scope of her oversight.