Deila K. Johnson

Deila K. Johnson serves as a Contract Specialist within the Contracts and Acquisitions Management unit of the U.S. Department of Education, where she plays a pivotal role in executing strategic procurements that advance federal education policy, research, and institutional capacity. She manages the full lifecycle of professional services contracts, ensuring alignment with statutory requirements and agency priorities such as regulatory compliance, data system modernization, and support for federal student aid infrastructure. Her acquisitions primarily involve consulting, technical services, and educational support solutions that enable evidence-based decision-making across postsecondary institutions and federal programs. Johnson maintains a consistent working relationship with LPE-STRATEGIES LLC, a key contractor providing management and educational support services. Her procurement patterns reflect collaborative, performance-based partnerships with vendors who deliver specialized expertise in policy analysis, systems integration, and institutional capacity building. She engages with a select group of experienced contractors known for their domain-specific knowledge in education technology and administrative operations, fostering long-term vendor relationships grounded in compliance and outcome-driven deliverables. Her contracting approach prioritizes broad market access, with 80% of her awards issued under open competition and 20% set aside for total small business participation under FAR 19.5. While she does not routinely utilize 8(a), HUBZone, or SDVOSB set-asides, she actively promotes small business engagement through competitive small business set-asides, ensuring diverse vendor participation without compromising mission-critical requirements. Johnson’s primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 541618 (Other Management Consulting Services) and 541611 (Administrative Management Consulting), complemented by significant activity in custom computer programming (541511) and educational support services (611710). She specializes in acquiring analytical, technical, and operational services that enhance data governance, policy implementation, and system modernization within the federal education ecosystem.