Latinia Buck

Latinia Buck supports the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Office of Acquisition in executing mission-critical procurement activities aligned with the agency’s goal of reducing traffic-related fatalities and injuries through evidence-based interventions. Though her official title is not designated, she plays a central role in managing acquisitions for research, technology, and professional services that inform regulatory policy and safety standards. Her work primarily involves soliciting and awarding contracts for behavioral research, engineering analyses, and the procurement of advanced vehicle safety technologies, ensuring alignment with NHTSA’s data-driven decision-making framework and statutory obligations under federal acquisition regulations. Buck maintains consistent procurement relationships with a focused set of contractors, including AMD International Technologies LLC, Aerospace & Commercial Technologies, LLC, and the National Association of ESEA State Program Administrators. These partnerships reflect a preference for specialized firms capable of delivering technical expertise in vehicle safety systems, data analytics, and public outreach program implementation. Her contracting patterns indicate a reliance on established vendors with proven capabilities in niche domains, suggesting a strategic approach to mitigating risk through vendor reliability and domain-specific experience rather than broad competition. Her procurement portfolio reflects no use of socioeconomic set-asides, with 100% of awards issued under full and open competition. This indicates a prioritization of technical merit and capability over socioeconomic preferences, aligning with NHTSA’s emphasis on rapid deployment of high-quality research and engineering solutions. While small business participation is not formally incentivized in her award patterns, the nature of the procurements may still attract qualified small firms through open solicitations. Buck’s primary NAICS focus areas—541720 for social science research, 813920 for professional organizations, and 423430 for computer equipment and software wholesale—reveal deep engagement with behavioral studies, policy analysis, and the procurement of technical hardware and software systems. Her work centers on acquiring services that support vehicle safety testing, public communication campaigns, and the integration of emerging technologies into federal motor vehicle standards.