Maria E. Hayes

Maria E. Hayes serves as a key procurement lead within Washington Headquarters Services, supporting the Department of Defense’s mission to modernize institutional management systems and enhance enterprise-wide operational efficiency. She manages a diverse portfolio of professional services acquisitions, primarily focused on administrative consulting, research and development in the social sciences, and digital transformation initiatives. Her work ensures that WHS delivers mission-critical support to DoD components through streamlined contracting processes aligned with federal acquisition regulations and strategic modernization goals. Hayes maintains strong, ongoing relationships with a core group of contractors including CLARITY INNOVATIONS LLC, CYNERGY PROFESSIONAL SYSTEMS LLC, SIGNATURE RENOVATIONS LLC, AMD INTERNATIONAL TECHNOLOGIES LLC, and GUIDEHOUSE INC. These partnerships reflect a preference for established firms with demonstrated expertise in management consulting, technical services, and institutional support. Her contracting patterns indicate a reliance on proven vendors capable of delivering complex, high-integrity services across multiple domains, often involving process optimization, policy analysis, and systems integration. While the majority of her acquisitions—72.2%—are conducted without set-asides, she consistently allocates 27.8% of her portfolio to Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5, demonstrating a deliberate commitment to small business participation. Her approach prioritizes competitive, open access while ensuring viable opportunities for qualified small businesses to contribute to DoD enterprise functions. Her primary NAICS focus areas include 541720 (Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities), 541611 (Administrative Management Consulting), and 541519 (Other Computer-Related Services), reflecting deep expertise in policy research, organizational consulting, and IT-enabled administrative modernization. She procures services that support strategic decision-making, institutional efficiency, and digital infrastructure upgrades across the DoD enterprise.