Kaihli Charles

Kaihli Charles serves as a key procurement professional within the CDC Office of Acquisition Services, supporting the agency’s mission to safeguard public health through strategic acquisition of critical scientific and diagnostic capabilities. Responsible for managing complex contracts that enable laboratory diagnostics, biomedical research, and data-driven surveillance systems, Charles specializes in procuring high-precision analytical instruments, in-vitro diagnostic products, and software solutions for public health operations. Their work directly facilitates the CDC’s ability to respond to infectious disease threats, enhance laboratory capacity, and deploy rapid diagnostic technologies across state and local health systems. Charles maintains consistent contracting relationships with leading providers in the life sciences and public health sectors, including General Dynamics Information Technology, GlaxoSmithKline, Cepheid, MRIGLOBAL, and the New York City Health & Hospitals Corp. These partnerships reflect a focus on established industry leaders with proven capabilities in diagnostic manufacturing, clinical testing services, and health IT infrastructure. The procurement approach prioritizes technical excellence, regulatory compliance, and scalable deployment of mission-critical solutions, often involving complex performance-based contract structures and post-award oversight for high-stakes public health applications. There is no preference for socioeconomic set-asides, with 100% of procurements conducted under full and open competition. This reflects a strategic emphasis on accessing the broadest possible pool of technical expertise rather than targeting specific socioeconomic categories, aligning with the urgency and scale of public health response needs. The primary NAICS focus areas include 334516 for analytical laboratory instrumentation, 325413 for in-vitro diagnostic substances, 513210 for specialized public health software, and 541380 for testing and calibration services. Charles’s expertise lies in acquiring advanced diagnostic platforms, molecular assay kits, data analytics tools, and laboratory testing services essential to national disease detection and response infrastructure.