Grace H. Garrity

Grace H. Garrity serves as a Contract Specialist at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), where she plays a pivotal role in executing complex procurements that support the agency’s mission to advance measurement science, standards, and technological innovation. She manages a diverse portfolio of acquisitions focused on analytical instrumentation, scientific consulting, and specialized laboratory services critical to NIST’s research and development initiatives. Her work ensures timely access to high-precision equipment and technical expertise that underpin national priorities in semiconductor metrology, advanced manufacturing, and biotechnology. Garrity applies rigorous Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) compliance and strategic sourcing practices to deliver mission-critical capabilities while maintaining fiscal accountability and operational efficiency. Garrity maintains longstanding relationships with key contractors including Quality Biological, Inc., ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES AND LABORATORIES (ATL) INTERNATIONAL, INC., and PHYSICAL ELECTRONICS USA, INC., among others. These partnerships primarily involve the procurement of specialized analytical instruments, calibration services, and technical support solutions tailored to NIST’s high-accuracy research environments. Her contracting approach emphasizes vendor reliability, technical capability, and long-term service support, fostering collaborative relationships with suppliers who can meet stringent scientific and regulatory requirements. She consistently engages with vendors possessing deep domain expertise in laboratory instrumentation and scientific instrumentation maintenance. Garrity’s contracting patterns reflect a strong preference for open competition, with 85.7% of awards issued without set-asides. She occasionally utilizes Total Small Business Set-Asides (13.6%) under FAR 19.5, and has awarded a minimal proportion to Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (0.7%). While her primary focus is on technical merit and capability, she actively encourages small business participation where it aligns with acquisition objectives and performance requirements. Her procurement portfolio is dominated by NAICS 334516 (Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing), reflecting NIST’s reliance on cutting-edge spectrometers, mass spectrometers, and precision measurement tools. She also frequently procures services under NAICS 541690 for scientific consulting and NAICS 325414 for biological product manufacturing, demonstrating expertise in both physical sciences and life science domains. Garrity’s work directly supports NIST’s leadership in developing standards that enhance U.S. industrial competitiveness and technological innovation.