Cheri L. Redding

Cheri L. Redding serves as a Contract Specialist within the Contract Administration Services Division (70RCAS) of the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Procurement Operations, where she plays a pivotal role in executing mission-critical acquisitions that support national security and operational readiness. She manages the full lifecycle of professional, scientific, and technical service contracts, with a focus on research and development, cybersecurity, systems engineering, and communications support. Her work ensures that DHS acquires high-integrity technical solutions aligned with federal acquisition regulations and strategic modernization goals, directly enabling the agency’s mission to safeguard critical infrastructure and advance technological resilience. Redding collaborates with a diverse ecosystem of vendors, including small businesses, research institutions, and specialized technical service providers. While specific contractor names are not disclosed, her procurement patterns reflect consistent engagement with firms possessing expertise in physical and engineering sciences, systems integration, and public affairs communications. She fosters collaborative, compliance-driven relationships grounded in transparency and performance accountability, ensuring vendors meet stringent security and delivery standards required by DHS operations. Her contracting approach is heavily weighted toward socioeconomic inclusion, with 40% of her awards designated for 8(a) competed contracts, 20% for HUBZone set-asides, and 20% for total small business set-asides under FAR 19.5. This reflects a deliberate and sustained commitment to expanding opportunities for disadvantaged and underserved businesses, aligning with federal mandates to promote equitable access to government contracting. Her pattern of set-aside utilization demonstrates strategic alignment with DHS’s broader diversity and inclusion objectives. Redding’s primary procurement focus centers on NAICS 541712 (Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences) and 541820 (Public Relations Agencies), with secondary emphasis on 541519 (Other Computer Related Services). She routinely acquires advanced R&D services, systems engineering support, cybersecurity assessments, and strategic communications solutions, demonstrating deep technical familiarity with the domains critical to DHS’s operational and analytical missions.