Dr. Kirsten Hawley

Dr. Kirsten Hawley serves as a key procurement lead within the Federal Railroad Administration, driving acquisitions that advance rail safety, infrastructure resilience, and operational innovation. She manages a portfolio of research and technology contracts focused on predictive modeling, human factors analysis, and next-generation inspection systems, aligning closely with the agency’s mission to modernize the national rail network through evidence-based engineering solutions. Her acquisitions typically involve complex, performance-based requirements for data-driven systems, requiring deep technical evaluation and rigorous risk mitigation strategies. Dr. Hawley collaborates with a diverse range of contractors, including specialized engineering firms, data science startups, and computing infrastructure providers, often engaging vendors through competitive sealed bids and sole-source justifications for niche technical capabilities. Her working relationships emphasize long-term partnerships with organizations capable of delivering scalable, interoperable solutions—particularly those with demonstrated expertise in rail-specific operational environments. She prioritizes vendors who can integrate real-time sensor data, machine learning models, and digital twin technologies into federal rail systems. Her contracting approach reflects a balanced commitment to socioeconomic goals, with approximately half of her procurements structured as total small business set-asides under FAR 19.5. She consistently prioritizes small businesses with proven capabilities in engineering research and computing services, fostering innovation through targeted outreach and mentorship programs. While no specific set-aside categories dominate, her pattern indicates strong support for SDVOSBs and HUBZone firms with technical competencies aligned to rail system modernization. Dr. Hawley’s primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 541715 (R&D in physical and engineering sciences) and 518210 (computing infrastructure and data services). She routinely awards contracts for advanced analytics platforms, rail capacity simulation tools, and automated inspection data pipelines. Her domain expertise centers on integrating AI-driven predictive models with physical rail infrastructure, requiring deep familiarity with Federal Railroad Administration technical standards and safety compliance frameworks.