Heather Cauthinn

Heather Cauthinn serves as a Contract Specialist within Mission Support Washington (70CMSW), a critical operational unit under U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement within the Department of Homeland Security. In this role, she manages the full lifecycle of mission-critical acquisitions that equip federal agents engaged in border security, detainee management, and tactical operations. Her portfolio centers on procuring specialized equipment, operational services, and infrastructure essential to sustaining high-risk law enforcement missions. She executes contracts under the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), ensuring compliance with national security requirements and operational readiness standards while balancing efficiency, accountability, and mission alignment. While specific contractor names are not publicly disclosed, Heather maintains consistent working relationships with a diverse range of vendors, including defense contractors, technical service providers, and manufacturers of law enforcement-grade equipment. Her procurement patterns reflect a preference for competitive sealed bidding and negotiated acquisitions, with a strong emphasis on performance-based contracting and delivery order mechanisms. She collaborates closely with technical evaluators and program managers to ensure acquired solutions meet stringent operational and safety benchmarks for federal agents in high-threat environments. Heather’s set-aside preferences show a clear orientation toward broad competition, with 90% of her acquisitions conducted as open, non-set-aside procurements. However, she actively supports small business participation, allocating approximately 10% of her portfolio to Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5. This reflects a balanced approach—prioritizing mission-critical capability while ensuring meaningful opportunities for qualified small businesses without compromising operational urgency or technical rigor. Her primary NAICS focus is 713940 (Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers), indicating significant procurement of physical fitness and tactical training equipment and services. Additional emphasis is placed on 332993 (Ammunition Manufacturing), 541511 (Custom Computer Programming Services), and 335999 (Miscellaneous Electrical Equipment), underscoring expertise in procuring tactical munitions, secure software systems, and specialized electronic components. This technical domain reflects deep familiarity with the intersection of law enforcement operations and advanced hardware/software integration.