Lara J. Hicok

Lara J. Hicok serves as a Purchasing Agent responsible for managing the acquisition of specialized goods and services critical to federal operational needs. In this role, she ensures compliance with federal procurement regulations, executes competitive solicitations, and oversees contract administration to support mission-critical functions. Her acquisitions span a diverse range of technical and agricultural sectors, with a focus on precision procurement practices that align with agency objectives. She handles both simplified and formal contracting actions, often coordinating with technical stakeholders to define requirements and evaluate vendor proposals under FAR guidelines. While specific contractor names are not available, Hicok maintains relationships with a broad base of suppliers, including manufacturers of analytical laboratory equipment, agricultural producers, and machine-based harvesting service providers. Her procurement patterns reflect a preference for established vendors with proven technical capability and consistent performance records. She engages with both large and small suppliers through open competitions and targeted solicitations, fostering a competitive marketplace while ensuring quality and regulatory compliance. Hicok’s contracting activity is overwhelmingly non-set-aside, with 93.6% of awards issued under unrestricted competition. However, she consistently allocates 6.4% of her portfolio to Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5, demonstrating a measured but deliberate commitment to small business participation. Though no other socioeconomic categories such as 8(a), HUBZone, or SDVOSB are currently prominent in her awards, her adherence to small business set-asides reflects an active effort to expand vendor diversity within her acquisition domain. Her primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 334516 (Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing), followed by 311119 (Other Animal Food Manufacturing) and 111940 (Hay Farming). She regularly procures precision scientific instruments, specialty animal feed, and agricultural inputs, indicating expertise in technical, food safety, and agronomic supply chains. Her domain knowledge encompasses laboratory instrumentation specifications, feed formulation standards, and mechanized farming equipment, positioning her as a specialist in niche, high-compliance procurement areas.