Michael R. Szwed

Michael R. Szwed serves as Supervisory Contract Specialist at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), where he oversees the acquisition of mission-critical scientific, technical, and infrastructure services that support NIST’s mandate to advance measurement science, standards, and technological innovation. He manages a diverse portfolio of contracts spanning analytical instrumentation, engineering services, and facility construction, ensuring compliance with federal procurement regulations while aligning acquisitions with NIST’s strategic goals in semiconductor development, advanced manufacturing, and laboratory modernization. His leadership ensures timely, transparent, and risk-managed procurement outcomes that enable cutting-edge research and national economic competitiveness. Szwed maintains consistent working relationships with key contractors including Quality Biological, Inc., ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES AND LABORATORIES (ATL) INTERNATIONAL, INC., and PHYSICAL ELECTRONICS USA, INC., among others. These partnerships reflect a focus on high-precision scientific equipment suppliers, specialized technical consultants, and qualified construction firms capable of supporting NIST’s unique laboratory and facility requirements. His contracting approach emphasizes performance-based outcomes, technical specificity, and vendor reliability, fostering long-term collaborations with vendors who demonstrate deep domain expertise in metrology and research-enabling technologies. While the majority of NIST’s acquisitions under Szwed’s oversight are conducted as unrestricted competitions (72.8%), he actively supports small business participation through Total Small Business Set-Asides (23.8%) and targeted 8(a) competed awards (1.9%). His procurement patterns reflect a balanced commitment to socioeconomic goals, with measurable engagement of service-disabled veteran-owned and HUBZone small businesses, ensuring broad access to NIST opportunities without compromising technical rigor. Szwed’s primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 334516 (Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing), 236220 (Commercial and Institutional Building Construction), and 541330 (Engineering Services), reflecting NIST’s need for precision instruments, laboratory infrastructure, and specialized technical consulting. He regularly procures calibrated sensors, vacuum and cryogenic systems, cleanroom construction, and metrology support services—acquisitions that underpin the agency’s leadership in standards development and industrial innovation.