Karen Hayes

Karen Hayes serves as a Contract Specialist responsible for managing the full lifecycle of federal acquisitions, from requirements definition through contract award and administration. She plays a critical role in ensuring compliance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and promoting efficient, transparent procurement practices. Her portfolio primarily consists of professional services contracts, with a strong emphasis on technical and scientific support functions. She routinely handles competitive solicitations under both full and open competition and targeted set-asides, ensuring alignment with agency mission needs and statutory procurement requirements. While specific contractor names are not available, Karen cultivates relationships with a diverse pool of vendors specializing in technical services, including IT systems design, environmental consulting, and laboratory testing. Her procurement approach emphasizes fair and open competition, fostering partnerships with both large-capability firms and small businesses capable of delivering high-quality, mission-critical services. She prioritizes clear performance metrics and contract oversight to ensure deliverables meet technical and compliance standards. Karen demonstrates a strong preference for full and open competition, with 90.9% of her awards issued without set-aside restrictions. Nevertheless, she actively supports small business participation, with 9.1% of her awards designated as Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5. This balanced approach reflects a commitment to maximizing competition while ensuring opportunities for qualified small businesses to contribute to federal missions. Her primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 541380 (Testing Laboratories and Services), 541511 (Custom Computer Programming Services), 541512 (Computer Systems Design Services), and 541620 (Environmental Consulting Services), with additional activity in 541330 (Engineering Services). She consistently procures technical services involving software development, systems integration, environmental analysis, and laboratory testing—domains requiring specialized expertise and regulatory compliance. Her work supports mission-critical operations requiring high standards of technical accuracy and data integrity.