Larna Palmer

Larna Palmer serves as a Contracting Officer within the Contract Administration Services Division (70RCAS) of the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Procurement Operations, where she plays a pivotal role in executing mission-critical acquisitions that advance national security through scientific and technical innovation. She manages the full lifecycle of professional, scientific, and technical service contracts, with a primary focus on research and development in physical and engineering sciences, as well as specialized engineering services. Her work directly supports operational readiness by ensuring the acquisition of high-integrity systems, cybersecurity solutions, and advanced technical capabilities essential to DHS’s mission. Palmer’s portfolio is characterized by complex, performance-based contracts requiring rigorous technical evaluation and risk mitigation. Palmer collaborates with a diverse array of contractors, including large federal prime contractors and mid-tier technical firms with deep expertise in systems engineering, applied research, and defense-related R&D. While no single contractor dominates her award portfolio, her contracting patterns reflect a preference for vendors with proven track records in delivering mission-critical technical solutions under stringent compliance and security requirements. She fosters long-term, performance-driven partnerships grounded in transparency, accountability, and adherence to FAR and DHS-specific acquisition policies. Palmer’s contracting activity is exclusively non-set-aside, with 100% of her awards issued under full and open competition. This reflects a strategic alignment with DHS priorities that demand the broadest possible technical capability pool and rapid access to cutting-edge expertise, rather than socioeconomic set-asides. While small business participation is not formally prioritized in her portfolio, she remains compliant with all applicable small business goals and encourages participation where vendor capabilities align with technical requirements. Her primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 541712 (Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences) and 541330 (Engineering Services), encompassing advanced systems engineering, cybersecurity architecture, physical science experimentation, and technical analysis for critical infrastructure. She routinely procures services involving simulation modeling, prototype development, and engineering analysis for high-consequence national security systems.