Chelly Johnson-Jones

Chelly Johnson-Jones serves as a Contract Specialist within the NHTSA Office of Acquisition, where she plays a critical role in executing procurements that advance the agency’s mission to reduce traffic-related fatalities and injuries through evidence-based safety initiatives. She manages a diverse portfolio of acquisitions spanning research, engineering services, and technical testing, ensuring compliance with federal acquisition regulations and aligning contracting actions with NHTSA’s strategic priorities in vehicle safety technology, behavioral research, and regulatory compliance. Her work supports the development and evaluation of advanced driver assistance systems, fuel efficiency standards, and public safety campaigns through structured contracting processes. Johnson-Jones maintains consistent relationships with key contractors including AMD International Technologies LLC, Aerospace & Commercial Technologies, LLC, and the National Association of ESEA State Program Administrators. These partnerships reflect a focus on firms capable of delivering specialized technical services, data analysis, and program implementation support. Her contracting patterns emphasize performance-based outcomes and long-term vendor collaboration, particularly with contractors possessing domain expertise in transportation safety systems and behavioral science research. Her procurement approach prioritizes open competition, with 93.9% of her acquisitions conducted without socioeconomic set-asides. When set-asides are utilized, they are evenly distributed between Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5 and 8(a) competed contracts, each accounting for approximately 3% of her portfolio. This reflects a measured commitment to small business participation without compromising the technical rigor or scale required for NHTSA’s mission-critical projects. Her primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 541380 (Testing Laboratories and Services) and 541720 (Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities), indicating deep engagement with third-party evaluation of vehicle safety systems and behavioral studies influencing public policy. She also regularly procures engineering services (541330) and specialized manufacturing (334519), demonstrating expertise in technical domains critical to automotive safety innovation and regulatory compliance.