Karen Thorngren

Karen Thorngren serves as a Contract Specialist within the Federal Protective Service East CCG Division 1 Acquisition Division, under the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Procurement Operations. She plays a critical role in executing procurements that support the safeguarding of federal facilities through the acquisition of protective security services and integrated surveillance systems. Her responsibilities include developing solicitation documents, conducting market research, evaluating proposals, and managing contract award and administration processes in full compliance with FAR and agency-specific guidelines. She primarily handles service-based acquisitions under NAICS 561612 and 561621, focusing on both manned security operations and technology-driven security systems. Thorngren maintains established working relationships with key contractors including GXC MAX INC, FLATTER, INC, and ENPROVERA CORP, consistently engaging these vendors for the delivery of comprehensive security solutions. Her procurement approach emphasizes performance-based contracting and outcome-driven requirements, fostering long-term partnerships with vendors capable of delivering scalable, technologically advanced security services. She collaborates closely with technical stakeholders to ensure contract language aligns with operational needs and regulatory standards. Her contracting patterns reflect a balanced commitment to socioeconomic goals, with approximately half of her portfolio structured as Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5, while the remaining half are open to all competitors. This reflects a deliberate strategy to promote small business participation without compromising mission readiness. She actively encourages small business prime contractors and subcontracting opportunities within the security services sector. Thorngren’s technical expertise centers on security guard and patrol services (NAICS 561612) and security systems services (NAICS 561621), encompassing everything from armed and unarmed personnel deployment to integrated access control, video surveillance, and alarm monitoring systems. Her domain knowledge ensures procurements meet the evolving demands of federal facility protection through both human and technological security layers.