Melissa Pishioneri

Melissa Pishioneri serves as a Contract Specialist within the Contracts and Acquisitions Management unit of the U.S. Department of Education, where she plays a pivotal role in executing strategic procurements that advance educational policy, regulatory compliance, and federal student aid infrastructure. She manages the full lifecycle of professional services contracts, ensuring alignment with federal acquisition regulations and the agency’s mission to support evidence-based decision-making in postsecondary education. Her portfolio primarily encompasses IT modernization, data systems development, and educational support services, with a focus on delivering scalable, compliant solutions that enhance institutional capacity and national data collection efforts. Pishioneri maintains a consistent working relationship with LPE-STRATEGIES LLC, a key vendor providing specialized technical and analytical services. Her contracting patterns reflect a preference for established, high-performing contractors with proven expertise in education technology and policy analysis. She engages vendors through competitive sealed bidding and negotiated acquisitions, emphasizing performance-based outcomes, clear statement of work development, and rigorous contract administration to ensure accountability and mission alignment. Her procurement activity is entirely non-set-aside, with no use of 8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB, or other socioeconomic preferences. This reflects a strategic focus on technical capability and domain expertise over socioeconomic categorization, prioritizing the quality and reliability of service delivery in mission-critical areas. While small business participation is not formally targeted, her process remains transparent and competitive, open to all qualified vendors. Pishioneri’s primary NAICS focus areas include Other Computer Related Services (541519), Computer Systems Design Services (541512), Educational Support Services (611710), and Offices of Certified Public Accountants (541211). She routinely procures services related to data analytics, system integration, compliance auditing, and educational program evaluation, demonstrating deep expertise in the intersection of federal education policy and technical implementation. Her work ensures that the Department’s digital and administrative systems remain robust, secure, and aligned with evolving regulatory requirements.