Kristine Smathers

Kristine Smathers, as Acting Executive Officer (EXO) for USAID/Tanzania, oversees the strategic procurement of technical and advisory services critical to advancing U.S. foreign assistance goals in Tanzania. In this capacity, she ensures alignment of contracting activities with USAID’s mission to strengthen local institutional capacity, improve public service delivery, and foster sustainable development outcomes. Her portfolio primarily encompasses the acquisition of expert consultants and specialized service providers in health, education, economic growth, and governance sectors, with a strong emphasis on performance-based, results-driven contracts. She plays a pivotal role in translating programmatic needs into compliant, transparent procurement actions that adhere to federal acquisition regulations and USAID’s development effectiveness standards. While no specific contractor relationships are currently identifiable in the procurement record, Smathers routinely engages a broad spectrum of international and local service providers, including technical consultants, research institutions, and implementation partners with deep domain expertise in public health systems, water and sanitation infrastructure, and governance reform. Her contracting approach prioritizes technical merit, local engagement, and adaptive management, fostering partnerships with firms capable of delivering context-specific, evidence-based solutions tailored to Tanzania’s developmental priorities. Smathers demonstrates a clear preference for open, non-set-aside acquisitions, with 100% of her procurement activity classified under the “No Set-Aside” category. This reflects a strategic focus on selecting the most qualified providers based on technical capability rather than socioeconomic classifications, consistent with USAID’s global emphasis on program impact over administrative set-asides. While small business participation is not formally prioritized in her portfolio, she remains compliant with all federal small business obligations without preference. Her primary procurement focus lies within NAICS 812990 (All Other Personal Services), underscoring her specialization in procuring high-level expert services—including technical advisors, epidemiologists, education specialists, and governance consultants—rather than goods or construction. This reflects deep domain expertise in human-capital-driven development interventions, where success hinges on the quality of individual expertise and institutional advisory capacity.