Kristen Tucker

Kristen Tucker supports the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Office of Acquisition Services in managing critical procurement activities that enable public health infrastructure and scientific response capabilities. She oversees the acquisition of specialized laboratory equipment, biomedical research services, and diagnostic technology essential to infectious disease surveillance and epidemiological analysis. Her work directly facilitates CDC’s mission to strengthen national preparedness through rapid deployment of cutting-edge analytical tools and technical support systems, ensuring that public health laboratories and research partners have the resources needed to detect, respond to, and mitigate emerging health threats. Tucker maintains longstanding relationships with leading contractors including General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc., Cepheid, MRIGLOBAL, GlaxoSmithKline, LLC, and the New York City Health & Hospitals Corp. These partnerships reflect a focus on high-reliability vendors capable of delivering complex diagnostic systems, biotechnology research services, and precision instrument maintenance under stringent regulatory and operational standards. Her procurement approach emphasizes technical rigor, compliance with federal biosafety protocols, and performance-based contract management to ensure continuity of mission-critical operations. Tucker’s contracting portfolio reflects a strong preference for full and open competition, with no set-asides applied to her acquisitions. This aligns with the CDC’s need for specialized, high-capacity vendors capable of meeting stringent technical specifications and rapid deployment timelines. While small business participation is not formally prioritized in her portfolio, she ensures all procurements adhere to federal fairness and transparency standards, allowing qualified firms of all sizes to compete on technical merit. Her primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 811210 (electronic and precision equipment repair and maintenance), 541714 (biotechnology research and development), and 334516 (analytical laboratory instrument manufacturing). She regularly acquires next-generation PCR platforms, sequencing instrumentation, biosafety cabinet maintenance services, and bioinformatics support systems, demonstrating deep expertise in the technical domains of clinical diagnostics, molecular biology, and public health laboratory operations.