Lori A. Lawson

Lori A. Lawson serves as a Contracting Officer within the Contract Administration Services Division (70RCAS) of the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Procurement Operations. In this role, she manages the full lifecycle of professional, scientific, and technical service acquisitions critical to national security operations, including systems engineering, cybersecurity enhancements, and research and development support. Her portfolio emphasizes complex, mission-critical contracts that ensure operational readiness and technological integrity across DHS programs. Lawson applies rigorous FAR compliance and risk mitigation strategies to procure high-integrity solutions aligned with the agency’s strategic objectives in physical and engineering sciences. While specific contractor names are not publicly disclosed, Lawson maintains consistent partnerships with a diverse array of vendors, including large prime contractors delivering advanced technical services and small businesses certified under socioeconomic programs. Her procurement approach emphasizes performance-based contracting, clear statement of work development, and robust contractor oversight to ensure deliverables meet stringent security and technical standards. She fosters collaborative relationships with industry stakeholders to facilitate innovation and accountability in mission-critical acquisitions. Lawson demonstrates a strong commitment to small business participation, with 40% of her acquisitions structured as set-asides—equally divided between Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5 and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) Set-Asides. This reflects a deliberate strategy to broaden vendor diversity and leverage the specialized capabilities of veteran-owned firms while ensuring competitive, fair access. Her contracting patterns consistently prioritize socioeconomic goals without compromising mission requirements. Her primary procurement focus spans five NAICS categories: Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336413), Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing (334519), All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (541990), Professional Organizations (813920), and Office Administrative Services (561110). These reflect a technical domain expertise in advanced instrumentation, systems integration, and mission support services essential to DHS’s operational infrastructure.