Darin Smith

Darin Smith serves as a Contract Specialist at Federal Prison Industries (Unicor), where he plays a pivotal role in executing procurements aligned with the agency’s mission of rehabilitation through industry. Responsible for managing the full lifecycle of acquisitions—from market research and solicitation development to contract award and administration—he ensures compliance with FAR regulations while advancing Unicor’s goal of providing vocational training to incarcerated individuals through federal supply chain participation. His portfolio primarily encompasses industrial goods, waste recovery services, and workforce development programs, often leveraging sole-source authority under 18 U.S.C. § 4124 to partner with Unicor’s in-house production capabilities or approved nonprofit entities. Smith maintains consistent working relationships with a select group of contractors, including Veterans Range Solutions, LLC, Krueger International, Inc., Veterans Environmental Group, LLC, Blind Industries and Services of Maryland, and Nightingale Corp. These partnerships reflect a strategic alignment with mission-driven organizations that share Unicor’s focus on social impact, workforce reintegration, and specialized manufacturing or environmental services. His procurement approach emphasizes long-term collaboration over transactional vendor relationships, fostering stability and quality assurance in the delivery of essential federal supplies. His contracting patterns reflect an even split between open competition and Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5, demonstrating a deliberate commitment to expanding opportunities for small businesses without relying on targeted socioeconomic programs like 8(a) or HUBZone. This balanced approach supports both economic inclusion and operational efficiency. Smith’s primary NAICS focus areas include Materials Recovery Facilities (562920), Drugs and Druggists’ Sundries Merchant Wholesalers (424210), Printing and Writing Paper Merchant Wholesalers (424110), and Professional and Management Development Training (611430). His technical expertise lies in procuring recycled materials, pharmaceutical distribution logistics, paper products, and vocational training services—each aligned with Unicor’s industrial output and rehabilitation objectives.