Dana L Harris

Dana L. Harris supports the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) in procuring specialized scientific and technical services critical to advancing biomedical research. While her formal title is not listed, her procurement activities center on acquiring high-precision laboratory instrumentation, research support services, and infrastructure-related solutions that enable cutting-edge studies in human development, reproductive health, and pediatric outcomes. She manages acquisitions aligned with NICHD’s mission to foster innovation through advanced analytical capabilities and maintained laboratory ecosystems, routinely engaging vendors capable of delivering complex, compliance-driven scientific solutions under federal procurement regulations. Her contractor relationships involve a diverse range of technical service providers, particularly those with expertise in life sciences research support, computer systems design for scientific environments, and specialized storage solutions for sensitive biological materials. Harris works with firms capable of delivering turnkey research infrastructure, including custom software for data acquisition, maintenance of cryogenic and environmental control systems, and analytical instrumentation calibration services. Her procurement patterns reflect a preference for technically proficient contractors with proven experience in federally funded biomedical research settings, fostering long-term partnerships with vendors who understand the stringent regulatory and operational demands of NIH laboratories. Harris’s contracting portfolio shows no use of socioeconomic set-asides, with 100% of awards issued under full and open competition. This reflects a strategic emphasis on technical capability and scientific rigor over socioeconomic criteria, prioritizing the most qualified providers regardless of business size or certification status. While small business participation is not formally incentivized, vendors of all sizes are evaluated strictly on technical merit, past performance, and ability to meet NICHD’s high-stakes research requirements. Her primary NAICS focus includes Computer Systems Design Services (541512), Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (541715), and Research and Development in Biotechnology (541714), with additional emphasis on Refrigerated Warehousing and Storage (493120). These categories indicate deep engagement with scientific IT infrastructure, laboratory R&D support, and secure storage of temperature-sensitive biological samples, underscoring her expertise in life sciences procurement within a mission-critical federal research environment.