Derek Easter

Derek S. Easter supports the Social Security Administration’s Office of Acquisition and Grants in managing mission-critical procurement activities that enable the secure and efficient delivery of social security benefits. While his formal title is not specified, his role centers on executing complex acquisitions for IT modernization, facilities infrastructure, and administrative support services aligned with the agency’s strategic priorities. He handles a diverse portfolio of contracts spanning software development, systems integration, cybersecurity, and facility operations, ensuring compliance with federal acquisition regulations and alignment with SSA’s operational resilience goals. Easter maintains consistent working relationships with a core group of established contractors, including CA, Inc., Johnson Controls, Inc., East Coast Welding & Construction Co., Inc., and ColorID, LLC. These partnerships reflect a balanced approach between large-capacity vendors delivering enterprise-grade solutions and specialized firms providing niche technical and physical infrastructure services. His contracting patterns suggest a preference for proven performers with demonstrated experience in federal environments, particularly those capable of supporting integrated systems and mission-critical facility upgrades. His procurement strategy prioritizes small business participation, with nearly 39% of awards designated as total small business set-asides under FAR 19.5 and an additional 8.3% reserved for HUBZone firms. While the majority of acquisitions remain open to all competitors, his consistent use of socioeconomic set-asides underscores a deliberate commitment to expanding opportunities for small, disadvantaged, and geographically targeted businesses within SSA’s supply chain. Easter’s primary procurement focus lies in NAICS categories related to solid waste collection, facilities support services, and computer facilities management, with notable activity in plumbing, heating, air-conditioning, and other building equipment contracting. This reflects a unique blend of administrative, environmental, and technical infrastructure needs—where procurement decisions directly support both digital modernization and the physical environments enabling SSA’s public service delivery.