Heather Poindexter

Heather Poindexter serves as a Contract Specialist within the Contract Administration Services Division (70RCAS) of the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Procurement Operations, where she plays a pivotal role in executing complex professional, scientific, and technical acquisitions critical to national security readiness. Her responsibilities encompass the full lifecycle of contract management—from solicitation and source selection to award and administration—focusing primarily on R&D services, engineering systems, and specialized technical equipment. She ensures compliance with FAR and DHS acquisition policies while aligning procurements with strategic mission objectives in cybersecurity, systems integrity, and physical science innovation. Poindexter collaborates with a diverse range of vendors, including prime contractors specializing in advanced instrumentation, systems engineering, and applied research services. While no single contractor dominates her portfolio, she consistently engages with firms possessing technical expertise in physical and engineering sciences, as well as niche manufacturers of precision measuring and control devices. Her working relationships emphasize performance-based contracting, clear statement of work development, and rigorous technical evaluation to ensure mission-critical deliverables meet stringent federal standards. Her procurement patterns reflect a strong preference for open competition, with 88.6% of awards issued without set-asides. Nevertheless, she actively supports small business participation, allocating approximately 9.1% of awards to Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5 and 2.3% to 8(a) competed contracts. This demonstrates a balanced approach—prioritizing technical excellence while fostering socioeconomic opportunities for qualified small businesses. Her primary NAICS focus areas include 541712 for research and development in physical and engineering sciences, and 334519 for specialized manufacturing of measuring and control devices. She routinely procures services and products related to sensor systems, laboratory instrumentation, cybersecurity infrastructure, and technical consulting, underscoring her deep domain expertise in defense-critical science and engineering markets.