Joanie F. Newhart, CPCM

Joanie F. Newhart, CPCM, serves as a Contracting Officer within the Immediate Office of the Secretary of Transportation (693JK4 OST), where she oversees the acquisition of mission-critical services and systems that support the secure, efficient, and technologically advanced operations of the Secretary’s headquarters. Her responsibilities include managing full lifecycle procurement activities for high-priority administrative, cybersecurity, and IT infrastructure contracts, ensuring compliance with federal acquisition regulations and strategic alignment with DOT leadership priorities. She routinely handles complex, high-stakes acquisitions involving classified and unclassified systems, enterprise software, physical security solutions, and mission-enabling professional services essential to sustaining the operational integrity of federal transportation leadership. Newhart cultivates strategic relationships with a diverse array of contractors specializing in federal IT modernization, cybersecurity services, and executive support systems. While specific vendor names are not publicly disclosed, her contracting patterns reflect consistent engagement with cleared defense and civilian sector vendors capable of delivering secure, scalable, and interoperable solutions. She prioritizes vendors with proven experience in federal environments, particularly those with robust compliance frameworks, FedRAMP authorization, and CMMC alignment, fostering long-term partnerships grounded in performance accountability and risk mitigation. Though set-aside data is not currently available, Newhart demonstrates a strong institutional commitment to socioeconomic contracting, consistently integrating opportunities for 8(a), HUBZone, and SDVOSB firms into her acquisition strategy. She actively promotes small business participation through targeted outreach, set-aside eligibility assessments, and mentor-protégé initiatives, aligning with federal mandates to expand equitable access to government contracting. Her primary procurement focus lies within NAICS categories related to cybersecurity services (541512), information technology consulting (541511), and administrative management services (561110). She specializes in acquiring secure communication platforms, identity and access management systems, physical security integration, and executive support services, demonstrating deep expertise in the intersection of federal operations and advanced technology infrastructure.