Heather L. Jennings

Heather L. Jennings serves as a Contract Specialist responsible for managing the full lifecycle of procurement actions within her agency’s water infrastructure program. She ensures compliance with federal acquisition regulations while delivering mission-critical water supply and irrigation systems that support public health and resource sustainability. Her acquisitions typically involve complex service contracts for design, construction, operation, and maintenance of water distribution networks, including pump stations, pipelines, and treatment facilities. She works closely with technical stakeholders to translate operational needs into solicitation requirements and evaluates proposals for technical merit, cost reasonableness, and regulatory alignment. Heather collaborates with a diverse pool of contractors specializing in civil engineering, water resource management, and utility infrastructure services. While no single vendor dominates her portfolio, she consistently engages firms with demonstrated expertise in hydraulic modeling, aquifer recharge systems, and regulatory compliance under the Safe Drinking Water Act. Her contracting approach emphasizes performance-based outcomes, clear statement of work definitions, and rigorous contractor oversight to ensure long-term system reliability and public accountability. Heather’s procurement strategy reflects a strong preference for open competition, with 100% of her awards issued under non-set-aside conditions. This indicates a focus on selecting the most qualified offerors based on technical capability and past performance rather than socioeconomic preferences. While she does not routinely utilize 8(a), HUBZone, or SDVOSB set-asides, her process remains transparent and inclusive, ensuring all eligible vendors have equitable access to opportunities through full and open competition. Her primary technical focus is on NAICS 221310—Water Supply and Irrigation Systems—where she specializes in procuring large-scale infrastructure projects involving water conveyance, storage, and distribution. She has deep expertise in evaluating engineering designs, environmental compliance, and long-term operational sustainability, making her a key liaison between technical agencies and contractors delivering essential water services to communities.