Cynthia Aki

Cynthia Aki serves as a Contract Specialist within the Contract Administration Services Division (70RCAS) of the Department of Homeland Security, where she plays a pivotal role in executing complex professional, scientific, and technical acquisitions that directly support national security operational readiness. Her responsibilities encompass the full lifecycle of contract management—from requirements definition and market research to solicitation, evaluation, award, and administration—ensuring compliance with federal acquisition regulations and mission-critical standards. She primarily handles procurements for cybersecurity, systems engineering, and research services that enhance the integrity and resilience of DHS infrastructure and mission systems. Cynthia collaborates with a diverse array of contractors specializing in high-demand technical domains, including systems integrators, cybersecurity consultants, and scientific research firms. While no single contractor dominates her portfolio, her working relationships reflect a balanced engagement with both large-capability providers and agile small businesses capable of delivering specialized, mission-tailored solutions. Her approach emphasizes performance-based contracting, clear statement of work development, and rigorous contractor oversight to ensure deliverables align with DHS’s technical and security requirements. Her procurement patterns demonstrate a strong commitment to socioeconomic goals, with 18.2% of her awards designated for Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses, reflecting a deliberate effort to foster veteran entrepreneurship and enhance workforce diversity. The remaining 81.8% of her contracts are non-set-aside, indicating a preference for open competition when technical complexity or scale necessitates broader market participation. Cynthia’s primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 541512 (Computer Systems Design Services), 541611 (Management Consulting), 541990 (Other Professional Services), 518210 (Data Processing and Hosting), and 561611 (Background Investigation Services). These reflect deep expertise in securing IT infrastructure, cybersecurity architecture, administrative support systems, and sensitive personnel vetting services—domains critical to DHS’s mission of safeguarding the nation’s critical assets and personnel.