Katherine Knecht

Katherine Knecht serves as a Contract Specialist responsible for managing the full lifecycle of federal acquisitions, from market research and solicitation development to contract award and administration. Her role is central to ensuring compliance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) while advancing mission-critical procurement objectives. She specializes in food production and processing contracts, overseeing competitive and set-aside procurements that support essential supply chain needs. Her acquisitions typically involve complex requirements related to food safety, packaging standards, and cold chain logistics, requiring deep familiarity with quality assurance protocols and inspection compliance. Knecht works with a diverse base of vendors, including both large-scale food manufacturers and small business contractors specializing in specialty canning, bottled water production, and animal slaughtering operations. While no single contractor dominates her portfolio, she consistently engages firms with proven capabilities in USDA-compliant processing, HACCP certification, and GMP adherence. Her working relationships are characterized by collaborative pre-solicitation outreach and clear communication of technical specifications to ensure vendor readiness and contract performance. Her procurement strategy reflects a strong emphasis on small business participation, with 25% of her awards structured as total small business set-asides under FAR 19.5. She prioritizes opportunities for small businesses capable of meeting stringent food production standards, demonstrating a deliberate commitment to socioeconomic goals without relying on specialized set-aside programs like 8(a) or HUBZone. Her approach balances broad competition with targeted inclusion of qualified small manufacturers. Knecht’s primary industry focus lies in NAICS 311422 (Specialty Canning), 312112 (Bottled Water Manufacturing), and 311611 (Animal Slaughtering), reflecting expertise in perishable and processed food procurement. She regularly acquires canned vegetables, ready-to-drink beverages, and dressed meat products, requiring technical knowledge of food preservation methods, labeling regulations, and federal inspection requirements. Her domain expertise ensures that acquired goods meet both operational needs and federal food safety mandates.