Katherine Penyak

Katherine Penyak serves as a Contract Specialist within the Department of Commerce’s SSSPO, where she plays a pivotal role in executing professional services acquisitions that advance data-driven governance and policy analysis. She manages the full lifecycle of procurement actions for high-impact market research, public opinion polling, and digital infrastructure modernization efforts, ensuring alignment with federal acquisition regulations and strategic agency priorities. Her work directly supports the Office of the Secretary’s mission to inform national economic strategies through evidence-based insights, requiring rigorous market analysis, competitive solicitation design, and compliance with statutory sourcing requirements. Penyak maintains a consistent working relationship with CACI, INC. - FEDERAL, a primary contractor for analytical and technical services, and engages with a diverse pool of vendors to meet evolving operational needs. Her contracting patterns reflect a preference for established federal contractors with demonstrated expertise in policy research and communications technology, while actively fostering competition through transparent solicitation practices and clear performance metrics. A strong advocate for socioeconomic inclusion, Penyak prioritizes small business participation, with approximately two-thirds of her awards structured as Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5. This reflects a deliberate strategy to expand opportunities for small businesses across multiple socioeconomic categories, ensuring equitable access to federal contracts while maintaining high standards of performance and accountability. Her procurement focus centers on three primary NAICS categories: 541990 for professional and scientific services—including survey research and data analytics—561622 for specialized security and access control services, and 334220 for communications equipment solutions. These reflect a unique blend of technical, operational, and analytical requirements that support both digital modernization and public engagement initiatives across the Department of Commerce.