Kim Howell

Kim Howell serves as a key procurement lead within the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service, Office of Acquisition and Procurement, where they oversee the acquisition of mission-critical scientific infrastructure and specialized technical services. Their work directly supports the agency’s mission to sustain advanced agricultural research by securing precision environmental control systems, laboratory instrumentation, and facility maintenance services essential for field stations and experimental sites. Howell manages complex contracting actions under the NAICS 811219 category, focusing on scientific and technical consulting, facility repair, and maintenance services that ensure operational continuity and scientific integrity across USDA research assets. Howell maintains consistent working relationships with a core group of contractors including Mckenzie Construction & Site Development LLC, Aerospace & Commercial Technologies, LLC, and L1 Enterprises Incorporated. These partnerships reflect a preference for vendors with proven expertise in facility modernization, environmental system calibration, and technical support for research-grade infrastructure. The contracting approach emphasizes performance-based outcomes, long-term service reliability, and technical compliance with federal research facility standards, fostering collaborative, results-driven vendor relationships. There is no use of socioeconomic set-asides in Howell’s procurement portfolio; all awards are competed without restriction under the full and open competition authority. This reflects a strategic focus on technical capability and mission-critical performance over socioeconomic categorization, prioritizing the highest technical qualifications and proven track records in scientific facility support. The primary procurement focus is on NAICS 811219—Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services—encompassing specialized maintenance of climate-controlled laboratories, calibration of precision environmental systems, and infrastructure upgrades for agricultural research facilities. Howell’s expertise lies in procuring services that enable data integrity, equipment reliability, and regulatory compliance in high-stakes scientific environments, ensuring that USDA’s research operations remain at the forefront of agricultural innovation.