Mario Checchia

Mario Checchia serves as a Contracting Officer at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), where he manages the acquisition of specialized scientific instrumentation, technical services, and infrastructure support critical to advancing measurement science and industrial innovation. His portfolio focuses on high-precision procurement aligned with NIST’s mission to strengthen national competitiveness through standards development, semiconductor research, and advanced manufacturing capabilities. He handles a mix of commercial and non-commercial acquisitions under FAR Part 12 and Part 15, frequently utilizing indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contracts and multiple-award task order mechanisms to ensure agile responses to evolving technical requirements. Checchia maintains consistent relationships with key vendors including Quality Biological, Inc., Advanced Technologies and Laboratories (ATL) International, Inc., and Physical Electronics USA, Inc., reflecting a preference for established providers of analytical lab equipment, scientific materials, and specialized technical services. His contracting patterns demonstrate a reliance on vendors with demonstrated expertise in high-purity reagents, precision metrology tools, and laboratory system integration, often requiring compliance with NIST-specific technical specifications and quality assurance protocols. His procurement approach prioritizes open competition, with 66.7% of awards issued without set-asides, while maintaining a robust 33.3% commitment to Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5. This balance ensures access to innovative small business capabilities while preserving flexibility for mission-critical technical needs. He actively engages with small businesses capable of supporting NIST’s research infrastructure without compromising performance or compliance. Checchia’s primary NAICS focus areas—238120 (Structural Steel and Precast Concrete Contractors), 334516 (Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing), and 541410 (Interior Design Services)—reflect the diverse physical and technical infrastructure needs of NIST’s laboratory facilities and research environments. He procures everything from custom-built lab fixtures and calibration-grade instrumentation to specialized fit-out services that support secure, high-precision experimental spaces, demonstrating deep familiarity with the intersection of scientific requirements and federal procurement compliance.