Laura Saddison

Laura Saddison serves as the primary contracting lead for the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response within the Department of Health and Human Services, where she manages critical acquisitions of medical countermeasures to safeguard the nation against biological threats and public health emergencies. Her role centers on expediting the procurement of advanced biotechnological solutions, including vaccines, therapeutics, and biological manufacturing capabilities, aligning directly with the agency’s mission to strengthen biodefense readiness. She oversees full lifecycle contract actions—from market research and solicitation to award and performance monitoring—ensuring rapid deployment of scientifically sound, clinically viable products under emergency conditions. Saddison maintains consistent working relationships with specialized biopharmaceutical innovators, including CIDARA THERAPEUTICS INC, AQUESTIVE THERAPEUTICS, INC., RAFA LABORATORIES LTD, and OSIVAX, all of which bring advanced platform technologies in antiviral development, drug delivery systems, and vaccine platforms. Her contracting approach prioritizes partnerships with firms possessing proven expertise in GMP-compliant biological manufacturing and preclinical-to-clinical translation, often engaging non-traditional defense contractors with niche biotech capabilities to fill critical capability gaps. Her procurement portfolio reflects a strong preference for unrestricted competition, with 100% of awards issued under no set-aside classifications, indicating a focus on technical capability and speed over socioeconomic preferences. While small business participation is not formally incentivized through set-asides, her contracting strategy remains open to qualified small entities that meet stringent scientific and manufacturing thresholds. Saddison’s primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 541714 (Research and Development in Biotechnology) and 325414 (Biological Product Manufacturing), reflecting deep expertise in advanced therapeutic development, immunotherapeutics, and scalable production of non-diagnostic biological products. She routinely procures novel vaccine candidates, antiviral agents, and platform-based biologics designed for rapid scale-up during pandemics or bioterrorism events, demonstrating a command of both scientific innovation and regulatory-compliant acquisition pathways.