Micole A. Cheatham

Micole A. Cheatham serves as an Acquisition Support Contractor at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), supporting the agency’s mission to advance measurement science and technological innovation. In this role, she facilitates the procurement of specialized scientific equipment, analytical instruments, and technical consulting services critical to NIST’s research and development initiatives. Her responsibilities include managing the acquisition lifecycle for complex technical contracts, ensuring compliance with federal acquisition regulations, and coordinating with technical stakeholders to align procurement strategy with scientific objectives. She primarily supports high-precision instrument procurement and R&D service contracts that enable advancements in semiconductors, advanced manufacturing, and laboratory analytics. Cheatham maintains consistent working relationships with key vendors including Quality Biological, Inc., ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES AND LABORATORIES (ATL) INTERNATIONAL, INC., and PHYSICAL ELECTRONICS USA, INC., which provide specialized analytical instrumentation, calibration services, and scientific support solutions. Her procurement patterns reflect a preference for established contractors with proven expertise in laboratory-grade equipment and technical consulting, indicating a focus on reliability, technical accuracy, and regulatory compliance in mission-critical acquisitions. Her contracting activity shows a strong orientation toward open competition, with 71.4% of awards issued without set-aside designations, while 28.6% are structured as Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5. This balance reflects a strategic approach that prioritizes technical capability while actively fostering opportunities for qualified small businesses in the scientific and technical services sector. Her procurement focus centers on NAICS 334516 (Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing) and 811219 (Other Commercial and Industrial Machinery and Equipment Repair and Maintenance), with significant activity in NAICS 541712 (Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences) and 541690 (Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services). These reflect deep expertise in procuring precision measurement tools, laboratory maintenance services, and specialized R&D support critical to NIST’s scientific infrastructure.