Kevin Wade

Kevin Wade serves as a Contract Specialist within the Contracts and Acquisitions Management unit of the U.S. Department of Education, where he plays a pivotal role in executing strategic procurements that advance federal education policy, research, and institutional capacity. He manages the full lifecycle of professional services contracts, with a focus on solicitation development, source selection, contract award, and post-award administration. His work directly supports the agency’s mission to strengthen evidence-based decision-making in postsecondary education, enhance regulatory compliance, and modernize federal student aid and data infrastructure through high-integrity acquisition practices. Kevin maintains a consistent working relationship with LPE-STRATEGIES LLC, a primary contractor providing specialized advisory services in education policy and program implementation. His procurement patterns reflect a preference for long-term, performance-based partnerships with firms possessing deep domain expertise in education systems, rather than transactional engagements. He collaborates closely with program offices to align contract requirements with strategic objectives, ensuring compliance with federal acquisition regulations and performance metrics. His contracting approach prioritizes open competition, with 91.7% of awards issued under no set-aside authorities, reflecting a focus on best-value outcomes over socioeconomic preferences. Nevertheless, he actively supports small business participation, consistently allocating approximately 8.3% of his portfolio to Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5, demonstrating a balanced commitment to both competition and socioeconomic goals. Kevin’s procurement portfolio is heavily concentrated in NAICS 923110 (Administration of Education Programs) and 541720 (Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities), reflecting his specialization in policy analysis, program evaluation, and data system modernization. He also frequently procures services under NAICS 541820 (Public Relations Agencies) and 541690 (Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services), underscoring his expertise in communications, stakeholder engagement, and technical consulting critical to federal education initiatives.