Karen Ziemba

Karen Ziemba serves as a Senior Contracting Officer (SCO) within the Federal Acquisition Service’s GSA FAS Region 4, where she leads the acquisition of mission-critical information technology systems and technical services to support federal defense, aviation, and command-and-control operations. Her portfolio centers on procuring integrated computing solutions, software development, and engineering support services that enhance operational readiness across high-priority government missions. She manages full lifecycle contracting actions—from market research and solicitation development to award and performance oversight—ensuring compliance with federal acquisition regulations and alignment with GSA’s strategic technology modernization goals. Ziemba maintains a consistent working relationship with AMD INTERNATIONAL TECHNOLOGIES LLC, a key contractor delivering specialized IT systems design and technical integration services. Her procurement approach emphasizes performance-based outcomes and long-term vendor partnerships, fostering collaboration with contractors who demonstrate technical expertise in complex federal environments. She prioritizes vendors with proven experience in secure, scalable computing architectures and agile development methodologies, ensuring solutions meet stringent federal cybersecurity and interoperability standards. Her contracting patterns reflect a strong preference for open competition, with 75% of awards issued under no set-aside conditions, while 25% are competed under the 8(a) Business Development Program. This balance enables her to leverage large-capability vendors while actively promoting opportunities for small, disadvantaged businesses with niche technical capabilities. She strategically engages 8(a) certified firms for specialized services where innovation and agility are critical to mission success. Ziemba’s primary procurement focus is on NAICS 541512 (Computer Systems Design Services), where she acquires custom software development, systems integration, and cloud-enabled infrastructure solutions. She also routinely procures NAICS 561210 (Facilities Support Services) to ensure operational continuity through technical staffing and facility-based IT support. Her domain expertise lies in secure enterprise computing, mission-critical software deployment, and defense-grade communications systems, making her a pivotal figure in advancing federal IT modernization through disciplined, outcome-driven contracting.