Lori A. Lawson

Lori A. Lawson serves as a key procurement professional within the Contract Administration Services Division of the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Procurement Operations, where she oversees the acquisition of critical professional, scientific, and technical services essential to national security readiness. Her work centers on managing complex contracts for advanced measuring and controlling devices, as well as research and development in physical and engineering sciences, ensuring that mission-critical systems maintain operational integrity and technological superiority. She plays a vital role in translating agency technical requirements into compliant, performance-based solicitations that align with federal acquisition regulations and DHS strategic priorities. While specific contractor names are not disclosed in available records, Lawson’s procurement patterns reflect consistent engagement with high-technology vendors capable of delivering precision instrumentation, systems engineering solutions, and R&D services under firm-fixed-price and cost-reimbursement structures. Her working relationships emphasize technical rigor, compliance with FAR Part 36 and Part 15 procedures, and collaboration with vendors possessing specialized certifications in engineering and scientific instrumentation. Lawson’s contracting portfolio demonstrates a strong preference for open competition, with 83.3% of acquisitions conducted without set-asides, reflecting a focus on technical capability over socioeconomic criteria. However, she maintains a deliberate commitment to small business participation, allocating 16.7% of awards to total small business set-asides under FAR 19.5, ensuring diverse vendor access to high-value technical opportunities. Her primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 334519 (Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing), indicating deep expertise in procuring sensors, control systems, and calibration equipment, alongside NAICS 541712 for applied research in physical and engineering sciences. This dual specialization underscores her role in supporting DHS’s mission to modernize infrastructure, enhance cybersecurity resilience, and advance next-generation detection and monitoring technologies through targeted, technically sound acquisitions.