Cherita Thomas

Cherita Thomas supports the Contract Administration Services Division within the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Procurement Operations, where she plays a critical role in managing the acquisition of professional, scientific, and technical services essential to national security readiness. Her responsibilities include overseeing the full lifecycle of contract actions—from requirements validation and solicitation development to award administration and performance monitoring—ensuring compliance with federal acquisition regulations and mission-driven outcomes. She specializes in procuring complex, high-stakes services that advance research and development, cybersecurity infrastructure, and systems engineering capabilities, aligning acquisitions with DHS’s strategic imperatives for operational resilience and technological innovation. While specific contractor names are not publicly available, Cherita maintains a consistent working relationship with a diverse ecosystem of vendors, including large prime contractors with deep technical expertise in engineering sciences and cybersecurity, as well as small businesses capable of delivering niche scientific and technical consulting services. Her procurement approach emphasizes performance-based contracting, outcome-driven deliverables, and rigorous source selection criteria to ensure mission-critical requirements are met with accountability and efficiency. Cherita demonstrates a strong commitment to socioeconomic contracting, with approximately one-third of her acquisitions structured as total small business set-asides under FAR 19.5. This reflects a deliberate strategy to foster competition and expand opportunities for small businesses, particularly those with specialized capabilities in physical sciences, engineering, and technical services. While no other set-aside categories are predominant, her portfolio consistently prioritizes small business participation as a core element of procurement equity and innovation. Her primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 541712—Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences—where she frequently sources advanced R&D, systems integration, and technical consulting services. Additional emphasis is placed on other computer-related services, security operations, and scientific consulting, underscoring her expertise in procuring mission-critical technical solutions that support DHS’s cyber and infrastructure defense missions.