Michele L. M. Mutschler

Michele L. M. Mutschler serves as a Contracting Officer within the Contract Administration Services Division (70RCAS) of the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Procurement Operations. She plays a pivotal role in executing mission-critical acquisitions that advance national security through the procurement of professional, scientific, and technical services. Her portfolio is centered on research and development in physical and engineering sciences, with a strong emphasis on cybersecurity, systems engineering, and operational readiness initiatives. Mutschler manages full lifecycle contracting actions—from solicitation and source selection to contract administration—ensuring compliance with federal acquisition regulations and alignment with DHS strategic objectives. Mutschler cultivates collaborative relationships with a diverse array of contractors, primarily small businesses and specialized technical firms capable of delivering high-integrity R&D services. While her contracting activity is not dominated by a single vendor, she consistently engages with firms possessing deep expertise in engineering analysis, systems integration, and applied physical sciences. Her procurement approach emphasizes performance-based outcomes, risk mitigation, and long-term vendor reliability, fostering partnerships grounded in technical excellence and regulatory compliance. A staunch advocate for socioeconomic equity in federal contracting, Mutschler applies a 100% small business set-aside preference across all her acquisitions under FAR 19.5. She prioritizes opportunities for small disadvantaged businesses, women-owned small businesses, and other socioeconomically disadvantaged entities, ensuring broad participation in high-impact science and technology programs. Her contracting patterns reflect a deliberate and sustained commitment to expanding the federal small business footprint in critical national security domains. Her primary NAICS focus is 541712—Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)—where she procures specialized services including advanced modeling and simulation, materials science innovation, cybersecurity architecture development, and systems validation testing. Mutschler’s expertise lies in acquiring complex, non-commodity technical solutions that support DHS’s mission to safeguard infrastructure and enhance technological resilience.