Lauren M. Phelps

Lauren M. Phelps serves as a Contract Specialist at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), where she plays a critical role in executing procurements that support the agency’s mission to advance measurement science, standards, and technological innovation. She manages a diverse portfolio of acquisitions spanning scientific instrumentation, advanced manufacturing support, and specialized technical services, ensuring compliance with federal acquisition regulations while aligning procurements with NIST’s strategic priorities in semiconductors, precision metrology, and industrial competitiveness. Her work directly enables the development of next-generation technologies essential to national security and economic resilience. Phelps maintains consistent working relationships with key contractors including Quality Biological, Inc., ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES AND LABORATORIES (ATL) INTERNATIONAL, INC., and PHYSICAL ELECTRONICS USA, INC., among others. These partnerships reflect a focus on high-precision technical suppliers, laboratory service providers, and specialized equipment vendors capable of supporting NIST’s rigorous scientific and calibration requirements. Her contracting approach emphasizes technical capability, quality assurance, and long-term vendor reliability, fostering collaborative engagements with firms experienced in niche scientific and industrial applications. Her procurement patterns show a strong commitment to small business participation, with 41.4% of her awards structured as Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5. While the majority of her acquisitions are open to all competitors, she actively leverages small business programs to expand the pool of qualified vendors in advanced technical domains, reinforcing NIST’s dedication to inclusive economic growth and innovation. Her primary NAICS focus areas include Other Computer Related Services (541519), Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing (334519), and Engineering Services (541330), reflecting her specialization in procuring calibration systems, analytical instrumentation, and technical consulting services critical to NIST’s research and development initiatives. She frequently engages vendors with expertise in semiconductor process control, sensor development, and precision metrology, ensuring NIST maintains its global leadership in standards development.