James Houston

Jim Houston serves as a Contract Specialist with the 257-NETWORK Contract Office 17 (36C257) under the Department of Veterans Affairs, where he plays a pivotal role in securing mission-critical medical and facility infrastructure solutions for VA healthcare campuses. He manages the full lifecycle of procurements for advanced surgical instruments, electromedical devices, in-vitro diagnostic systems, and laboratory analytics equipment, ensuring operational readiness and clinical excellence across VA medical centers. His acquisitions are strategically aligned with the agency’s mandate to deliver high-quality, timely healthcare services to veterans through technologically advanced and reliable procurement outcomes. Jim maintains consistent working relationships with key vendors including Primary Care Solutions Inc., Quest Diagnostics Incorporated, VetPride Services, Inc., McKenzie Construction & Site Development LLC, and Cepheid. These partnerships reflect a balanced mix of large-capability providers in diagnostics and medical supply chains alongside specialized contractors in facility construction and maintenance. His contracting approach emphasizes performance-based outcomes, long-term service agreements, and vendor accountability to ensure seamless integration of equipment and infrastructure into active clinical environments. A defining feature of Jim’s procurement portfolio is his strong commitment to socioeconomic programs, with 71.7% of his awards designated for Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB), reflecting a deep institutional alignment with VA’s veteran-centric mission. He actively prioritizes small business participation under FAR 19.5, with additional support for Women-Owned Small Businesses, fostering a diverse and resilient supplier base that aligns with federal socioeconomic goals. His technical focus centers on NAICS 339113 (Surgical Appliance and Supplies Manufacturing) and 339112 (Surgical and Medical Instrument Manufacturing), underscoring his expertise in procuring precision medical devices and diagnostic tools. He also manages related acquisitions in facility infrastructure, including plumbing, heating, and air-conditioning systems, demonstrating a holistic understanding of the clinical environment’s operational needs. Jim’s work ensures that VA medical facilities remain equipped with cutting-edge, compliant, and mission-critical resources.