Darleen K. Masten

Darleen K. Masten serves as a Contracting Officer responsible for managing complex procurement actions across engineering, construction, and specialized manufacturing domains. In this role, she ensures compliance with federal acquisition regulations while advancing mission-critical objectives through competitive, transparent, and efficient contracting processes. Her portfolio primarily encompasses professional services and infrastructure-related acquisitions, with a strong emphasis on soliciting bids under full and open competition while strategically leveraging socioeconomic set-asides to promote equitable market access. Masten’s expertise lies in structuring requirements, evaluating technical proposals, and administering performance-based contracts to deliver high-value outcomes. While specific contractor names are not available, Masten routinely engages with a diverse pool of vendors, including large prime contractors and small business subcontractors, particularly in engineering and construction sectors. Her procurement patterns reflect a balanced approach—favoring open competition while actively encouraging small business participation through set-aside mechanisms. She fosters collaborative relationships with vendors who demonstrate technical proficiency, past performance, and compliance with socioeconomic certification requirements, ensuring a robust and resilient supplier base. Masten exhibits a clear preference for non-set-aside procurements at 63.6%, yet she consistently integrates small business opportunities into her acquisition strategy. She actively utilizes Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5, along with targeted HUBZone and 8(a) competed set-asides, reflecting a deliberate commitment to socioeconomic inclusion. Her contracting patterns align with federal goals to expand opportunities for disadvantaged businesses, ensuring that small firms have meaningful access to federal contracting pathways. Her primary procurement focus centers on NAICS 541330 (Engineering Services), with significant activity in commercial and institutional construction (236220) and highway, street, and bridge construction (237310). She also procures specialized motor vehicle electrical systems (336320) and architectural services (541310), demonstrating technical fluency across both infrastructure and technical design domains. Masten’s expertise enables her to craft precise statements of work and evaluate complex technical proposals, ensuring acquisitions meet rigorous performance and safety standards.