Chelsea Whitten

Chelsea M. Whitten serves as a Contract Specialist responsible for managing the full lifecycle of federal acquisitions, from requirement analysis and market research to contract award and administration. She plays a critical role in ensuring compliance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and supports the agency’s mission by delivering mission-critical goods and services through transparent, competitive processes. Her portfolio primarily encompasses technical and scientific procurements, including research and development services, analytical instrumentation, and computer systems design, often involving complex technical specifications and performance-based requirements. Whitten cultivates relationships with a diverse range of vendors, including established prime contractors and small businesses capable of delivering specialized engineering and laboratory services. While no single contractor dominates her award profile, she consistently engages firms with proven expertise in physical sciences R&D, analytical instrument manufacturing, and IT systems integration. Her approach emphasizes fair competition and vendor capability alignment, fostering partnerships grounded in technical proficiency and regulatory compliance rather than volume-based reliance. Her contracting patterns reflect a strong preference for open competition, with 97.3% of her acquisitions conducted without set-asides, indicating a focus on full and open competition under FAR Part 6. However, she maintains a measured commitment to small business participation, with 2.7% of awards designated as Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5, demonstrating alignment with socioeconomic goals without compromising mission needs. Whitten’s primary NAICS focus areas include 541715 for physical and engineering research services, 811219 for other commercial and industrial machinery repair, and 334516 and 334519 for analytical and control device manufacturing. She specializes in procuring high-precision laboratory equipment, custom software systems, and technical support services for scientific operations, reflecting deep domain expertise in instrumentation, data analysis, and applied engineering environments.