Heather L. Kerns

Heather L. Kerns serves as a Contract Specialist responsible for managing the full lifecycle of procurement actions related to water supply and irrigation infrastructure. In this role, she ensures compliance with federal acquisition regulations while delivering mission-critical water systems that support public health, environmental sustainability, and operational resilience. Her acquisitions typically involve complex engineering services, construction management, and system integration for municipal and public utility water networks, requiring careful evaluation of technical proposals, cost realism, and performance-based outcomes. Kerns plays a pivotal role in translating agency needs into legally sound, competitively awarded contracts that meet stringent regulatory and operational standards. Kerns maintains professional relationships with a broad spectrum of contractors specializing in water infrastructure, including engineering firms, construction contractors, and technology vendors providing water monitoring and control systems. While no single contractor dominates her portfolio, she consistently engages with firms possessing demonstrated expertise in hydraulic modeling, pipe network rehabilitation, and pump station modernization. Her contracting approach emphasizes competitive bidding, transparent evaluation criteria, and rigorous contractor performance oversight to ensure long-term system reliability. Her procurement activity 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 merit and value, rather than socioeconomic preferences. While she does not routinely utilize 8(a), HUBZone, or SDVOSB set-asides, her process remains fully compliant with all socioeconomic contracting requirements and encourages participation where market conditions support it. Kerns specializes exclusively in NAICS 221310—Water Supply and Irrigation Systems—making her a subject matter expert in water infrastructure procurement. She routinely acquires services and equipment related to potable water distribution, wastewater conveyance, stormwater management, and automated metering systems. Her technical domain expertise includes familiarity with EPA standards, state water board regulations, and emerging technologies in smart water networks, positioning her as a trusted advisor in mission-critical water resource acquisitions.