Matthew Wendel

Matthew Wendel serves as a key procurement professional within the 693JJ3 Acquisition and Grants Management unit of the Federal Highway Administration, supporting the Department of Transportation’s mission to enhance national transportation infrastructure through data-driven engineering and research solutions. He manages a portfolio of technical service acquisitions focused on custom software development, systems integration, and operational consulting services that inform highway design, safety analytics, and infrastructure resilience. His work directly enables evidence-based decision-making by securing specialized technical expertise critical to modernizing the nation’s transportation systems. Wendel maintains consistent contracting relationships with K & M Transportation Services LLC and the University of California, Los Angeles, reflecting a balanced approach between private-sector engineering consultants and academic research institutions. His procurement strategy emphasizes collaborative partnerships with vendors capable of delivering high-fidelity modeling, simulation tools, and transportation data analytics. These relationships are sustained through performance-based contract structures, including cost-reimbursement and time-and-materials arrangements, ensuring flexibility for complex, research-intensive deliverables. His contracting patterns show a strong preference for open competition, with 66.7% of awards issued without set-asides, while 33.3% are structured as Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5. This reflects a deliberate effort to foster competition from small businesses without compromising access to specialized technical capabilities, aligning with federal goals for equitable opportunity and innovation. Wendel’s primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 541511 (Custom Computer Programming Services) and 541519 (Other Computer Related Services), indicating deep expertise in acquiring software development, data analytics platforms, and transportation modeling systems. He routinely procures services related to intelligent transportation systems (ITS), geospatial analysis, and real-time traffic optimization tools, demonstrating a technical domain proficiency in digital infrastructure modernization and performance-based systems engineering.