Gary Patrick Topper

Gary P. Topper serves as a Contracting Officer within the Preparedness SECTION (PRE20) of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, where he manages the acquisition of critical services and equipment essential to national resilience and emergency response readiness. His portfolio centers on administrative, technical, and logistical support contracts that enhance incident management capabilities and workforce preparedness. He routinely handles complex procurements under FAR Part 12 and Part 13, leveraging both full and open competition and targeted set-asides to ensure timely delivery of mission-critical resources. His work directly supports FEMA’s mandate to strengthen operational readiness across federal, state, and local emergency response networks. Topper cultivates strategic partnerships with a diverse range of vendors, including firms specializing in facilities support, emergency communications, and professional training services. While no single contractor dominates his portfolio, he consistently engages with both large prime contractors and small businesses capable of delivering specialized technical solutions under time-sensitive conditions. His contracting approach emphasizes performance-based outcomes, clear deliverables, and robust contract administration to ensure accountability and mission alignment. A strong advocate for socioeconomic inclusion, Topper prioritizes small business participation, with over 43% of his awards directed toward small business set-asides, including 20% allocated to 8(a) competed contracts and 23.3% to total small business set-asides under FAR 19.5. His procurement patterns reflect a deliberate effort to expand opportunities for disadvantaged businesses while maintaining rigorous standards for capability and compliance. His primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 561210 (Facilities Support Services), 334519 (Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing), and 621999 (Miscellaneous Ambulatory Health Care Services), indicating a specialization in emergency response infrastructure, diagnostic and monitoring equipment, and support services for medical surge capacity. He also procures professional development training under NAICS 611430, underscoring his role in building institutional competency across emergency management disciplines.