Mark Robinson

Mark Robinson serves as a Purchasing Agent for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS), where he plays a critical role in acquiring specialized scientific and operational equipment to support national agricultural research initiatives. His procurement portfolio focuses on analytical laboratory instrumentation, precision farming machinery, and industrial-grade inputs essential for crop, livestock, and biosecurity research. He ensures acquisitions align with ARS’s mission to advance scientific innovation through reliable, high-performance procurement of mission-critical technologies, adhering to federal acquisition regulations and technical specifications defined by research scientists. Robinson maintains a consistent working relationship with McKenzie Construction & Site Development LLC, primarily for facility upgrades and infrastructure support critical to laboratory and field research environments. His contractor partnerships reflect a preference for established vendors with proven expertise in delivering complex, compliance-driven solutions—particularly those capable of integrating specialized equipment into sensitive research settings. While he engages a limited number of core contractors, his approach emphasizes reliability, technical compatibility, and long-term serviceability over volume-based sourcing. His contracting patterns show a strong preference for open competition, with 85.7% of acquisitions issued without set-aside designations, reflecting the technical specificity and limited vendor base for many of the items procured. However, he actively supports small business participation through Total Small Business Set-Asides (FAR 19.5), which account for 14.3% of his awards, demonstrating a balanced commitment to socioeconomic goals without compromising technical requirements. Robinson’s primary NAICS focus areas include analytical laboratory instrument manufacturing (334516) and industrial gas manufacturing (325120), underscoring his expertise in procuring advanced spectrometers, gas delivery systems, and environmental monitoring equipment. He also regularly acquires farm machinery (333111) and supports facility maintenance through plumbing and HVAC contractors (238220), reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of ARS operations. His technical domain expertise spans laboratory instrumentation, agricultural automation, and research facility infrastructure.