James Higgins

James Higgins supports the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) in managing mission-critical procurement activities that sustain the educational infrastructure for military-connected students worldwide. He oversees the acquisition of facilities maintenance, environmental services, and operational support contracts essential to maintaining high-functioning school environments across global and domestic installations. His work directly enables DoDEA’s commitment to academic excellence by ensuring safe, compliant, and well-maintained learning spaces through strategic contracting practices aligned with federal acquisition regulations. Higgins maintains consistent relationships with a focused group of contractors, including AMD International Technologies LLC, CoreTech Consulting Inc., Effective Communication Strategies LLC, Residential Enhancements, Inc., and FGI Solutions LLC. These partnerships reflect a preference for specialized vendors capable of delivering tailored solutions in facility repair, flooring installation, and environmental compliance. His contracting approach emphasizes reliability, technical proficiency, and responsiveness to the unique logistical demands of DoDEA’s dispersed school network. A strong advocate for small business participation, Higgins consistently structures procurements to prioritize small business set-asides, with over 57% of awards designated for total small business competition under FAR 19.5. He also actively promotes 8(a) program participation, allocating approximately 14.3% of contracts to certified 8(a) firms, demonstrating a deliberate commitment to socioeconomic equity and vendor diversity within the DoDEA supply chain. His procurement focus centers on NAICS 811310 (commercial and industrial machinery and equipment repair and maintenance) and 238330 (flooring contractors), reflecting a technical specialization in facility infrastructure and physical plant sustainment. He also engages environmental consulting services under NAICS 541620 to ensure compliance with federal environmental standards. This domain expertise enables him to procure services that directly support the operational integrity of DoDEA’s global school system.