Lenox Coles, Jr.

Lenox Coles, Jr. serves as a Contracting Officer within the Contracts and Acquisitions Management unit of the U.S. Department of Education, where he oversees the procurement of professional services critical to advancing federal education policy, research, and institutional capacity. His portfolio primarily includes complex service-based acquisitions aligned with evidence-based decision-making, regulatory compliance, and the modernization of federal student aid and data infrastructure. He manages full lifecycle contracting actions under FAR Part 12 and Part 37, focusing on performance-based, outcome-driven contracts that support national educational initiatives and technical systems development. Mr. Coles maintains a consistent working relationship with LPE-STRATEGIES LLC, a key contractor delivering analytical and policy support services. His procurement patterns reflect a preference for established, high-capacity service providers with demonstrated expertise in education research and operational support, though he actively cultivates partnerships with a diverse vendor base to ensure technical excellence and programmatic alignment. His engagements are characterized by structured competition, clear performance metrics, and a focus on deliverables tied to measurable educational outcomes. While the majority of his acquisitions—83.3%—are conducted without set-asides, he consistently allocates 16.7% of his portfolio to Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5, demonstrating a deliberate commitment to expanding opportunities for small businesses in the education services sector. He does not prioritize 8(a), HUBZone, or SDVOSB set-asides, but his small business awards reflect broad eligibility under general small business criteria. His primary NAICS focus areas include 541720 (Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities) and 611710 (Educational Support Services), reflecting his specialization in policy analysis, data system design, and institutional capacity-building services. He also procures related services under 511210 (Publishing) and 561621 (Security Systems Services), indicating a multidisciplinary approach to supporting secure, data-driven educational infrastructure.