James P McDermott

James S. McDermott serves as a key procurement professional within the Social Security Administration’s Office of Acquisition and Grants, supporting the agency’s mission to secure reliable, secure, and efficient operational infrastructure for critical social benefit programs. He manages a diverse portfolio of acquisitions centered on IT modernization, systems integration, cybersecurity, and facility maintenance services. His work ensures the technical and physical foundations supporting SSA’s benefit delivery systems remain resilient and compliant with federal standards. McDermott routinely handles complex contract actions under FAR Part 12 and Part 36, balancing mission-critical needs with fiscal accountability and regulatory compliance. He maintains established working relationships with a core group of contractors including CA, Inc., Johnson Controls, Inc., East Coast Welding & Construction Co. Inc., and Colorid, LLC, reflecting a mix of large-scale IT solutions providers, facilities management specialists, and construction contractors. His procurement approach emphasizes performance-based outcomes, long-term vendor partnerships, and consistent contract administration to ensure service continuity across SSA’s nationwide operations. These relationships are cultivated through structured sourcing strategies and rigorous evaluation of technical capability and past performance. McDermott demonstrates a strong commitment to small business participation, with approximately 40% of his acquisitions structured as Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5. While the majority of his portfolio remains open to full and open competition, he actively prioritizes opportunities for small businesses to compete for IT services, facility support, and professional technical work. His contracting patterns reflect a deliberate effort to expand the vendor base and foster economic inclusion without compromising mission readiness. His primary procurement focus lies in Custom Computer Programming Services (NAICS 541511) and All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (NAICS 541990), aligning with SSA’s emphasis on software development and systems modernization. He also manages acquisitions in facility maintenance and administrative support services, ensuring the agency’s physical and digital environments operate in tandem to support public trust and program integrity.