Lizannette L. Velez

Lizannette L. Velez serves as a Contract Specialist with the U.S. Census Bureau, where she plays a pivotal role in executing mission-critical acquisitions that support the modernization of national data collection systems. Responsible for managing the full lifecycle of procurement actions—from market research and solicitation development to contract award and administration—she ensures compliance with federal acquisition regulations while advancing the Bureau’s strategic goals in digital survey infrastructure and public data dissemination. Her portfolio primarily encompasses professional services related to data analytics, public engagement, and communications, aligning closely with the Bureau’s mandate to deliver accurate, timely, and secure demographic and economic statistics. Velez collaborates with a diverse ecosystem of service providers, including advertising, marketing research, and public relations firms, to support outreach campaigns and survey methodology development. While no single contractor dominates her portfolio, she consistently engages with specialized vendors capable of delivering innovative solutions in data visualization, respondent engagement, and multilingual communications. Her working relationships are characterized by a focus on technical proficiency, performance-based outcomes, and adherence to federal data privacy standards. Her contracting patterns reflect a strong preference for open competition, with 92% of awards issued without set-aside designations. Nevertheless, she actively supports small business participation, allocating approximately 8% of her portfolio to small business set-asides, including 8(a) and Total Small Business programs under FAR 19.5, demonstrating a balanced commitment to both efficiency and socioeconomic goals. Velez’s primary procurement focus lies within NAICS categories 541890, 541613, 541810, 541820, and 541910, reflecting deep expertise in advertising, marketing consulting, public relations, and public opinion polling services. She specializes in acquiring communications strategies and data collection tools that enhance public trust and participation in federal surveys, particularly in support of the 2030 Decennial Census initiative.