Michelle R. Waters

Michelle Waters serves as a Contracting Officer responsible for managing complex acquisitions across advanced technology and scientific instrumentation sectors. She plays a pivotal role in executing the agency’s procurement mission by ensuring compliance with federal acquisition regulations while fostering competitive, transparent, and efficient contracting processes. Her portfolio primarily encompasses high-precision analytical equipment, electronic computing systems, and specialized laboratory instrumentation, requiring deep technical understanding and rigorous evaluation of vendor capabilities. Waters routinely oversees full and open competitions as well as set-aside procurements, balancing mission needs with statutory socioeconomic objectives. While specific contractor names are not available, Waters maintains consistent engagement with a diverse ecosystem of vendors, including small businesses, emerging technology firms, and established manufacturers of scientific and electronic equipment. Her contracting patterns reflect a preference for collaborative, performance-based agreements that emphasize technical innovation, quality assurance, and long-term service support. She works closely with industry stakeholders to clarify requirements, streamline solicitation development, and ensure alignment with evolving technical standards in laboratory and instrumentation markets. Waters demonstrates a strong commitment to small business participation, with over 54% of her awards designated as Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5. This reflects a deliberate strategy to maximize opportunities for small disadvantaged businesses, while maintaining a robust pipeline of non-set-aside competitions to ensure market competitiveness. Her minimal use of 8(a) set-asides suggests a preference for broader small business inclusion rather than concentrated socioeconomic programs, aligning with agency-wide goals to expand access across the small business community. Her primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 334516 (Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing) and 511210 (Software Publishers), indicating expertise in procuring precision measurement devices, data acquisition systems, and specialized software for scientific analysis. She frequently acquires electronic test equipment, calibration systems, and embedded computing platforms used in research and quality control environments, demonstrating a nuanced understanding of technical specifications and compliance requirements in high-stakes scientific procurement contexts.