Karri L. Mares

Karri L. Mares serves as a Contract Specialist responsible for managing the full lifecycle of federal acquisitions, from requirements development and market research to contract award and administration. She plays a critical role in ensuring compliance with federal procurement regulations, particularly under FAR Part 19, while supporting mission-critical scientific and technical needs. Her portfolio primarily encompasses complex service-based contracts involving laboratory operations, analytical instrumentation, and professional technical consulting, requiring a nuanced understanding of technical specifications and performance-based acquisition strategies. While specific contractor names are not available, Mares consistently engages with a diverse pool of vendors, including both large prime contractors and small businesses specializing in scientific services and laboratory technology. Her procurement patterns reflect a preference for competitive, open-market solicitations, with a strong emphasis on fair and transparent processes that promote innovation and quality delivery. She fosters collaborative relationships with industry stakeholders to ensure alignment between agency needs and market capabilities, often leveraging pre-solicitation outreach and industry days to enhance market awareness. Mares demonstrates a clear commitment to small business participation, with 13.6% of her awards designated as Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5. Though the majority of her acquisitions are unrestricted, her consistent use of small business set-asides reflects a deliberate effort to expand opportunities for qualified small firms in the scientific and technical services sector. She does not appear to prioritize other socioeconomic categories such as 8(a), HUBZone, or SDVOSB, indicating a focused approach centered on overall small business eligibility rather than targeted socioeconomically disadvantaged programs. Her primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 334516 (Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing), 541990 (Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services), and 621511 (Medical Laboratories), reflecting deep expertise in laboratory equipment, clinical testing services, and technical consulting. She regularly acquires specialized instruments, diagnostic services, and research support solutions, requiring technical fluency in analytical methodologies and regulatory compliance frameworks such as CLIA and ISO standards.