Lawrence M. Ayers

Lawrence M. Ayers serves as Assistant Secretary for Contingency Contracting within the Investigations and Operations Support Dallas unit of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, part of the Department of Homeland Security. In this role, he oversees the rapid acquisition of mission-critical goods and services to sustain operational readiness for national security investigations. His portfolio emphasizes time-sensitive, high-priority procurements that support digital forensics, secure communications, and law enforcement infrastructure, ensuring seamless deployment of capabilities in dynamic operational environments. Ayers plays a pivotal role in aligning contracting strategies with the agency’s intelligence and enforcement priorities, managing both urgent contingency contracts and long-term support agreements under FAR Part 18 authorities. He maintains strategic relationships with key vendors including Cellebrite Inc., Thomson Reuters Special Services LLC, Cerifi LLC, and Ensurity Mobile Corp., reflecting a focus on advanced digital evidence collection, investigative analytics, and mobile device forensics. His contracting patterns favor established technology providers with proven capabilities in secure, compliant solutions for law enforcement, while also engaging specialized service firms for translation, administrative support, and technical training. These partnerships are typically non-competitive or competitively awarded under broad agency needs, emphasizing reliability, scalability, and rapid delivery. Ayers’ contracting portfolio is predominantly open competition, with 77.8% of awards issued without set-aside restrictions. Small business participation is modest but intentional, with 11.1% allocated to total small business set-asides and smaller shares directed toward 8(a) and HUBZone contractors, demonstrating a balanced approach that prioritizes mission efficacy while maintaining compliance with socioeconomic goals. His primary NAICS focus includes 611310 and 611519, indicating significant investment in professional and technical training services for law enforcement personnel, alongside 332994 for specialized ordnance and equipment manufacturing. He also procures translation services (541930) and administrative support (561110), underscoring a multidisciplinary approach to sustaining complex, intelligence-driven operations.