Michelle Cecilia

Michelle Cecilia serves as a key procurement lead within the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), supporting the agency’s mission to advance scientific research on substance use disorders through strategic acquisition of research services and specialized scientific infrastructure. She manages a diverse portfolio of contracts focused on translational neuroscience, behavioral health studies, and analytical laboratory capabilities, ensuring alignment with NIDA’s priorities in evidence-based treatment development and public health intervention. Her acquisitions primarily support academic and nonprofit research institutions conducting federally funded studies in neurobiology, addiction science, and clinical trial design. Michelle maintains strong working relationships with leading research institutions including The McLean Hospital Corporation, the University of Maryland Baltimore, the University of Miami, the University of Pittsburgh, and the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. These partnerships are characterized by long-term, mission-driven collaborations centered on high-impact scientific research, data analysis, and clinical translation. Her contracting approach emphasizes competitive solicitation under full and open competition, with a preference for institutions possessing demonstrated expertise in neuroimaging, pharmacokinetics, and behavioral assessment methodologies. Her contracting activity reflects a strong orientation toward full and open competition, with 93.5% of awards issued without set-aside designations. While small business participation is limited at 6.5%, it is primarily channeled through Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5, indicating a measured but intentional engagement with small firms capable of delivering specialized scientific services. Michelle’s procurement focus centers on NAICS codes 541715 (R&D in life sciences), 541380 (testing laboratories), and 334516 (analytical instrument manufacturing), reflecting deep technical expertise in procuring research instrumentation, laboratory testing services, and scientific consulting. She consistently acquires high-complexity services requiring specialized scientific validation, quality control, and compliance with federal research standards.