Lauren Young

Lauren Young supports the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Office of Acquisition in managing complex procurement initiatives aligned with the agency’s mission to reduce traffic-related deaths and injuries through evidence-based safety solutions. She oversees the acquisition of research, technical consulting, and data-driven analytical services critical to advancing vehicle safety technologies, fuel efficiency standards, and behavioral research programs. Her work ensures that contracting activities directly support NHTSA’s regulatory and policy development objectives, with a focus on high-impact, science-driven outcomes delivered through competitive and compliant procurement processes. Young maintains consistent relationships with key contractors including AMD International Technologies LLC, Aerospace & Commercial Technologies, LLC, and the National Association of ESEA State Program Administrators, engaging primarily with firms offering engineering research, technical analysis, and public safety communication services. Her procurement patterns reflect a preference for established contractors with proven expertise in transportation safety systems, data modeling, and regulatory compliance support, fostering long-term partnerships that enable sustained program continuity and technical reliability. Her contracting portfolio is predominantly non-set-aside, with 83.3% of awards issued under open competition, reflecting a focus on technical merit and capability over socioeconomic preferences. Nevertheless, she consistently allocates 16.7% of opportunities to total small business set-asides under FAR 19.5, demonstrating a balanced commitment to fostering innovation from small businesses while prioritizing mission-critical expertise. Young’s procurement focus centers on NAICS 541715 (Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences) and 541690 (Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services), with additional activity in NAICS 511210. She specializes in acquiring advanced engineering research, behavioral studies, safety simulation models, and policy analysis services that directly inform federal motor vehicle safety standards and public education campaigns. Her domain expertise lies at the intersection of transportation safety science and regulatory procurement.