Julie Cuevas

Julie Cuevas serves as a secondary procurement liaison within the Agricultural Research Service’s Agricultural Research Facility Management and Procurement Division (USDA ARS AFM APD), supporting the acquisition of mission-critical infrastructure and operational services that enable high-throughput biological and environmental research. While not the primary contracting officer, she plays a vital role in facilitating the procurement lifecycle for janitorial and facility support services essential to maintaining sterile, compliant research environments. Her work ensures seamless alignment between facility operations and scientific objectives, particularly in laboratories requiring stringent contamination controls and specialized maintenance protocols. Cuevas collaborates closely with a consistent cohort of contractors including Georgia Commercial and Residential Elevator, LLC, GermFree Laboratories, LLC, and J’s Associates, LLC, all of which provide specialized facility management, equipment maintenance, and controlled-environment services. Her procurement patterns reflect long-term, performance-based vendor partnerships focused on reliability, regulatory compliance, and operational continuity. These relationships are cultivated through repeat engagements, demonstrating a preference for vendors with proven expertise in supporting federal research facilities under USDA standards. Her procurement activities are fully aligned with a 100% small business set-aside strategy under FAR 19.5, reflecting a strong institutional commitment to socioeconomic inclusion. All acquisitions are intentionally structured to maximize participation from small businesses, including those certified under 8(a), HUBZone, and SDVOSB programs, reinforcing USDA’s mandate to foster equitable economic opportunity within the scientific support sector. Cuevas’s primary procurement focus is on NAICS 561720 (Janitorial Services), encompassing specialized cleaning, decontamination, and facility maintenance services critical to biosafety level (BSL) labs and precision research environments. She routinely procures services involving HEPA filtration, biohazard waste handling, and cleanroom protocols, demonstrating deep familiarity with the technical demands of agricultural and biological research infrastructure. Her expertise lies in ensuring that facility support services meet the rigorous standards required for federally funded scientific innovation.