Darlene C, Leavell

Darlene C. Leavell serves as an Acquisition Specialist within the Procurement Directorate Contracting Division of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, part of the Department of Homeland Security. In this role, she manages the end-to-end procurement lifecycle for mission-critical equipment and specialized services that directly support border security operations, particularly in canine enforcement and analytical detection capabilities. Her responsibilities include developing solicitation documents, conducting market research, evaluating technical proposals, and ensuring compliance with federal acquisition regulations. She plays a pivotal role in sustaining operational readiness by securing advanced instrumentation, ordnance-related hardware, and supporting logistics services essential to the Border Patrol’s K9 programs and facility security infrastructure. While specific contractor names are not publicly enumerated, Leavell maintains collaborative relationships with a diverse pool of vendors, including manufacturers of specialized detection systems, defense-grade equipment suppliers, and technical service providers. Her contracting approach emphasizes performance-based outcomes, rigorous technical evaluation, and long-term vendor accountability to ensure reliability in high-stakes operational environments. She routinely engages with both large-tier defense contractors and niche suppliers capable of delivering custom or low-volume specialized solutions aligned with CBP’s unique requirements. Leavell demonstrates a strong commitment to socioeconomic contracting, with approximately 26.6% of her acquisitions structured as small business set-asides—equally split between Total Small Business Set-Asides and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) set-asides. She actively promotes fair competition and leverages FAR 19.5 provisions to expand opportunities for qualified small businesses while maintaining stringent performance standards. Her procurement focus centers on NAICS codes 332992 and 332994, reflecting deep expertise in the acquisition of small arms ammunition and ordnance accessories, alongside 334516 for analytical laboratory instrumentation. She also procures related support services under 561110 and 519190, demonstrating a technical command over detection systems, forensic analysis tools, and operational logistics infrastructure critical to modern border security missions.