Karen L. Reddick

Karen L. Reddick serves as a Purchasing Agent for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service, where she manages critical acquisitions to support cutting-edge scientific research. Her responsibilities include procuring high-precision laboratory instrumentation, specialized agricultural equipment, and technical services essential to maintaining operational readiness in field and laboratory environments. She plays a pivotal role in ensuring the agency’s research infrastructure—including ultra-low-temperature freezers, micro-CT scanners, and sterilization systems—is reliably sourced and deployed. Her acquisitions span complex technical domains requiring strict compliance with federal procurement standards and scientific specifications. Reddick maintains consistent relationships with a select group of contractors specializing in scientific and technical services. Key partners include MCKENZIE CONSTRUCTION & SITE DEVELOPMENT LLC for facility infrastructure support, LARKOS PACKING AND DISTRIBUTION INC. for logistics and cold-chain handling, ARABIC INTERPRETERS LLC for specialized language services in research collaborations, and AMD INTERNATIONAL TECHNOLOGIES LLC for advanced instrumentation and technical integration. These partnerships reflect a pattern of engaging vendors with proven expertise in niche scientific supply chains, emphasizing reliability, regulatory compliance, and technical alignment with ARS research objectives. Her procurement strategy demonstrates a strong commitment to small business participation, with over 57% of her awards designated as Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5. She also regularly utilizes Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) set-asides, reflecting a deliberate effort to promote socioeconomic equity while maintaining high standards of performance. Her contracting patterns prioritize small businesses capable of delivering specialized, mission-critical goods and services. Reddick’s primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 334516 (Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing) and 541712 (Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences), reflecting her deep engagement with precision scientific equipment and R&D services. She also frequently procures fabricated metal products and biological manufacturing inputs, demonstrating expertise in supporting multidisciplinary agricultural and life sciences research. Her technical acumen ensures acquisitions align with the rigorous demands of federal scientific operations.