LaNita Calhoun

LaNita Calhoun serves as a key procurement lead within the Mission Support Contracting Division of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, where she manages critical acquisitions that sustain frontline operational readiness. Her portfolio centers on procuring specialized equipment and services essential to canine detection programs, protective gear, and advanced analytical instrumentation for threat detection. She plays a pivotal role in ensuring the agency’s logistical and biological support systems remain robust, enabling border security personnel to respond effectively to evolving threats. Her acquisitions span technical, logistical, and analytical domains, requiring deep familiarity with federal procurement regulations and mission-critical supply chain dynamics. Calhoun maintains consistent working relationships with a core group of contractors including VISTA OUTDOOR SALES LLC, LABVANTAGE SOLUTIONS INC, ATLANTIC DIVING SUPPLY, INC., L3 TECHNOLOGIES, INC., and FOSTER & FREEMAN USA INC. These partnerships reflect a strategic alignment with vendors capable of delivering high-integrity, mission-specific solutions—from canine handling equipment and forensic analysis software to protective apparel and detection systems. Her contracting approach emphasizes reliability, technical compliance, and sustained performance, fostering long-term vendor collaboration grounded in rigorous evaluation and contract administration standards. Her procurement patterns show a strong preference for open competition, with 66.7% of awards issued without set-aside designations. However, she actively supports small business participation, allocating 22.2% of awards to Total Small Business Set-Asides and 11.1% to HUBZone firms, demonstrating a balanced commitment to socioeconomic goals without compromising mission requirements. This pattern reflects a deliberate effort to leverage small business innovation while maintaining operational continuity. Calhoun’s primary NAICS focus areas include Computer and Computer Peripheral Equipment and Software Merchant Wholesalers (423430) and Administrative Management Consulting Services (541611), indicating a strong emphasis on IT infrastructure, software integration, and operational support services. She also routinely procures specialized equipment under NAICS codes related to aircraft and motor vehicle manufacturing, underscoring her technical expertise in deploying mobile, field-deployable detection and protection systems critical to border security operations.