LaKeisha S. Washington

LaKeisha S. Washington serves as a Contract Specialist dedicated to executing complex acquisitions in support of public communications and creative services. In her role, she ensures full compliance with federal procurement regulations, managing the full lifecycle of contracts from requirements development through award and administration. Her work is central to fulfilling the agency’s mission of acquiring high-quality, mission-critical services in media, design, and performing arts, often under tight deadlines and evolving public engagement needs. She specializes in non-commercial, performance-based acquisitions, frequently utilizing Indefinite-Delivery, Indefinite-Quantity (IDIQ) vehicles and task order contracting to meet dynamic operational demands. LaKeisha cultivates strong relationships with a diverse base of vendors, primarily small businesses and independent contractors specializing in creative and media services. Her procurement approach emphasizes collaboration, transparency, and fair competition, fostering long-term partnerships with firms capable of delivering innovative, culturally responsive content. She consistently engages with sole proprietors, artist collectives, and specialized media firms, ensuring that vendor capabilities align with the nuanced requirements of public-facing communications campaigns. A staunch advocate for small business participation, LaKeisha prioritizes Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5, with 95.7% of her acquisitions reserved for small businesses. Her contracting patterns reflect a deep commitment to socioeconomic programs, consistently directing opportunities to firms owned by women, veterans, and socially and economically disadvantaged individuals. She actively promotes competition among small business concerns and ensures compliance with all socioeconomic reporting and verification requirements. Her primary technical focus lies in NAICS 711510 (Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers) and 541840 (Media Representatives), where she procures content creation, public relations, digital storytelling, and multimedia production services. She also regularly acquires graphic design (541430), motion picture production (512110), and computer facilities management (541513) services, demonstrating expertise in both artistic and technical domains essential to modern public communications.