James M Underkoffler

James M. Underkoffler serves as a Contract Specialist within the Procurement Directorate Contracting Division of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, where he plays a pivotal role in securing mission-critical capabilities for border security and canine enforcement operations. Responsible for the full lifecycle of acquisition programs, he manages competitive procurements for specialized equipment, detection systems, and ordnance-related technologies essential to operational readiness. His work directly supports the agency’s mandate to enhance border surveillance, sustain K9 detection units, and maintain advanced analytical instrumentation, ensuring that procurement actions align with national security objectives and federal acquisition regulations. Underkoffler collaborates with a diverse range of defense and homeland security contractors, primarily those specializing in small arms manufacturing, ordnance accessories, and secure data and analytical software solutions. He fosters strategic vendor partnerships with firms possessing technical expertise in military-grade detection systems and secure communications platforms, ensuring compliance with performance, safety, and interoperability standards. His contracting approach emphasizes rigorous source selection, risk mitigation, and contract administration to deliver reliable, mission-ready solutions under tight operational timelines. Notably, Underkoffler’s procurement portfolio is entirely non-set-aside, reflecting a focus on open competition to ensure the broadest possible access to technical capability and innovation. While he does not prioritize socioeconomic set-asides such as 8(a), HUBZone, or SDVOSB programs, his approach is driven by mission necessity and technical specificity rather than socioeconomic criteria. His primary procurement focus centers on NAICS 332994 (Small Arms, Ordnance, and Ordnance Accessories Manufacturing) and NAICS 511210 (Software Publishers), indicating deep expertise in acquiring firearms, tactical gear, and custom detection software platforms. He routinely sources advanced canine training aids, explosive and narcotics detection systems, and secure data analytics tools, demonstrating specialized knowledge in defense technology and law enforcement instrumentation.