Lakaiha S. Davis

Lakaiha W. Davis serves as a Contract Specialist within the Contracts and Acquisitions Management unit of the U.S. Department of Education, where she plays a pivotal role in executing strategic procurements that advance educational policy, research, and institutional capacity. She manages the full lifecycle of professional services contracts, ensuring alignment with federal acquisition regulations and the agency’s mission to strengthen federal student aid systems and data infrastructure. Her portfolio primarily consists of consulting and technical services that support evidence-based decision-making, regulatory compliance, and modernization initiatives in postsecondary education. Davis maintains a consistent working relationship with LPE-STRATEGIES LLC, a key contractor providing management and technical consulting services. Her procurement approach emphasizes collaboration with vendors capable of delivering high-quality, mission-critical expertise in education policy analysis and systems modernization. She fosters long-term partnerships with firms that demonstrate deep domain knowledge in higher education operations and federal compliance frameworks, ensuring sustained performance and accountability across contract obligations. Her contracting patterns reflect a strong commitment to small business participation, with nearly 43% of her awards structured as Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5. While the majority of her acquisitions are unrestricted, she actively prioritizes opportunities for small businesses to compete for work that aligns with their capabilities, reinforcing the Department’s socioeconomic goals without compromising mission outcomes. Davis specializes in procuring services under NAICS 541618 (Other Management Consulting Services), which accounts for 60% of her portfolio, followed by 541690 (Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services) and 541519 (Other Computer Related Services). Her technical focus centers on education policy analysis, data system optimization, and compliance advisory services, making her a key conduit for connecting federal educational objectives with specialized private-sector expertise.