James A. Cariaga

James A. Cariaga serves as a Contract Specialist at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), where he plays a pivotal role in executing complex procurement actions that support the agency’s mission to advance measurement science, standards, and technological innovation. He manages the full lifecycle of acquisitions for high-precision scientific instrumentation, analytical laboratory equipment, and specialized technical consulting services critical to NIST’s research and development programs. His work ensures compliance with federal acquisition regulations while aligning procurements with NIST’s strategic priorities in semiconductor metrology, advanced manufacturing, and physical sciences. Cariaga maintains consistent working relationships with key contractors including Quality Biological, Inc., ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES AND LABORATORIES (ATL) INTERNATIONAL, INC., and PHYSICAL ELECTRONICS USA, INC., among others. These partnerships typically involve the procurement of calibrated analytical instruments, specialized laboratory services, and technical support for NIST’s metrology and materials characterization initiatives. His contracting approach emphasizes vendor reliability, technical expertise, and long-term service capability, fostering stable collaborations with vendors who meet stringent performance and compliance standards. Cariaga demonstrates a strong commitment to small business participation, with 38.7% of his acquisitions structured as Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5. While the majority of his contracts remain open to all competitors, his consistent use of small business set-asides reflects a deliberate effort to broaden access to NIST’s mission-critical procurement opportunities for qualified small businesses, particularly those with specialized technical capabilities in laboratory services and instrument manufacturing. His primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 334516 (Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing) and 334515 (Instrument Manufacturing for Measuring and Testing Electricity and Electrical Signals), with significant activity in 541690 (Scientific and Technical Consulting) and 811219 (Other Commercial and Industrial Machinery and Equipment Repair). These categories reflect his deep engagement with precision measurement technologies, calibration services, and R&D support essential to NIST’s scientific infrastructure.