Donald L Richardson

Donald L. Richardson serves as a Contract Specialist within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), where he manages the acquisition of critical satellite telecommunications infrastructure and services essential to Earth observation, weather modeling, and marine data dissemination. In this role, he ensures compliance with federal procurement regulations while aligning contract actions with NOAA’s mission to advance environmental science through reliable, high-capacity communication systems. His portfolio primarily consists of complex, technical procurements involving satellite ground stations, data transmission networks, and mission-critical telecom solutions, requiring deep familiarity with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) clauses and performance-based contracting methodologies. Richardson maintains consistent working relationships with a select group of experienced contractors, including Wisconsin Educational Communications Board, Tronconi Segarra & Associates LLP, JNB Services LLC, Pure Enviro-Management, LLC, and The Regents of the University of Colorado. These partners deliver specialized engineering, environmental monitoring, and satellite communications services, often under long-term, performance-driven agreements. His procurement approach emphasizes technical proficiency, vendor reliability, and sustained operational support, fostering collaborative partnerships grounded in measurable outcomes and system interoperability. Richardson’s contracting activity shows no reliance on socioeconomic set-asides, with 100% of awards issued under full and open competition. This reflects a strategic emphasis on technical capability over socioeconomic criteria, prioritizing mission-critical performance and system integrity. While small business participation is not formally targeted, his evaluations consistently weigh technical merit, past performance, and service continuity, ensuring that qualified vendors—regardless of size—are selected based on operational readiness. His primary procurement focus is exclusively under NAICS 517410 (Satellite Telecommunications), underscoring deep specialization in space-based data infrastructure. He procures end-to-end satellite communication systems, including transponders, ground terminals, signal processing equipment, and managed network services that support NOAA’s observational networks, remote sensing platforms, and real-time environmental data streams. His expertise lies at the intersection of aerospace telecom and federal mission systems, ensuring seamless integration of commercial and government satellite assets.