Cheryl S. Rice

Cheryl S. Rice serves as a Contract Specialist at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), where she plays a pivotal role in executing procurement strategies that support the agency’s mission to advance measurement science, semiconductor standards, and advanced manufacturing technologies. She manages a diverse portfolio of acquisitions spanning technical services, laboratory equipment, and specialized infrastructure, ensuring compliance with federal contracting regulations while aligning purchases with NIST’s scientific and industrial innovation goals. Her work directly enables critical R&D initiatives by securing reliable, high-precision resources essential to national competitiveness and technological leadership. Cheryl routinely collaborates with a select group of established contractors, including Quality Biological, Inc., ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES AND LABORATORIES (ATL) INTERNATIONAL, INC., and PHYSICAL ELECTRONICS USA, INC., who provide specialized scientific instrumentation, analytical services, and technical support. Her contracting patterns reflect long-term, performance-based partnerships with vendors capable of meeting NIST’s rigorous technical and quality assurance requirements. She also engages with service providers in logistics and infrastructure, such as AIRGAS USA, LLC and the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, to sustain operational readiness across NIST’s multi-site facilities. A strong advocate for small business participation, Cheryl consistently prioritizes Total Small Business Set-Asides, with 71.4% of her acquisitions designated for small businesses under FAR 19.5. This reflects a deliberate strategy to foster innovation through diverse vendors and promote equitable access to federal opportunities. Her contracting approach integrates socioeconomic goals with technical needs, ensuring that small business capabilities align with NIST’s demanding scientific missions. Her primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 541519 (Other Computer Related Services) and 518210 (Computing Infrastructure Providers), underscoring expertise in IT services, data processing, and cloud-enabled research platforms. She also procures specialized warehousing and solid waste services to support laboratory operations, demonstrating a nuanced understanding of the full lifecycle needs of a federal science agency.