Cheryl A Jennings

Cheryl P. Jennings serves as a Contracting Officer responsible for managing complex acquisitions in scientific and technical research domains. She plays a critical role in executing the agency’s mission by ensuring compliance with federal procurement regulations while fostering innovation through strategic sourcing of high-value R&D services. Her portfolio primarily consists of competitive solicitations under full and open competition, with a focus on securing specialized expertise in physical, engineering, and life sciences research. She oversees the full acquisition lifecycle—from market research and requirement development to contract award and performance management—ensuring alignment with federal standards and mission objectives. Cheryl works with a diverse array of contractors, including academic research institutions, private-sector laboratories, and engineering firms with demonstrated technical capability in advanced scientific inquiry. Her contracting patterns reflect a preference for established vendors with proven track records in delivering mission-critical research outcomes, though she actively encourages new entrants through transparent solicitation practices. She maintains professional, performance-driven relationships with contractors, emphasizing accountability, technical rigor, and timely delivery of deliverables. Cheryl’s procurement activity is exclusively conducted under full and open competition, with no use of set-aside programs such as 8(a), HUBZone, or SDVOSB. While she does not currently prioritize socioeconomic set-asides, her approach ensures equitable access to opportunities through clear, well-documented justification for competition and rigorous evaluation criteria that reward technical merit and past performance. Her primary procurement focus is centered on NAICS 541712—Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology). She regularly acquires services related to experimental design, data analysis, prototype development, and laboratory testing across disciplines such as materials science, environmental engineering, and applied physics. Her expertise lies in evaluating complex technical proposals and ensuring contract requirements align with cutting-edge scientific objectives, making her a key steward of federally funded innovation in non-biotech R&D.