Nancy M Hershey

Nancy M. Hershey serves as a Contract Specialist responsible for managing the full lifecycle of federal acquisitions, from requirements definition and market research to contract award and administration. She plays a critical role in ensuring compliance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and advancing mission-critical procurement objectives within her organization. Her portfolio is heavily focused on research and development services in the physical, engineering, and life sciences, where she structures complex, performance-based contracts to support innovation and technical advancement. Hershey’s work ensures that acquisition strategies align with agency goals while maintaining rigorous standards for fairness, transparency, and accountability. While specific contractor relationships are not currently available for public disclosure, Hershey routinely engages with a diverse pool of vendors, including large prime contractors and specialized small businesses capable of delivering high-complexity R&D solutions. Her contracting patterns reflect a preference for competitive, open-market procurements, with minimal reliance on sole-source or non-competitive mechanisms. She fosters collaborative vendor relationships grounded in clear performance metrics, technical rigor, and contractual compliance. Hershey’s set-aside preferences are overwhelmingly aligned with open competition, with 91.7% of her acquisitions conducted without set-aside designation. However, she consistently reserves 8.3% of her portfolio for Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5, demonstrating a measured but intentional commitment to small business participation. Her approach prioritizes competition among qualified small businesses without compromising technical requirements or mission readiness. Her primary procurement focus is exclusively on NAICS 541712—Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology). She specializes in procuring services such as applied scientific research, engineering analysis, laboratory testing, and technical consulting, often requiring advanced technical expertise and specialized equipment. Hershey’s domain knowledge enables her to effectively evaluate proposals, assess technical feasibility, and structure contracts that drive innovation in science and engineering disciplines.