Nicole M. Nygaard

Nicole M. Nygaard serves as a key procurement professional within the Contracting and Procurement office of the Transportation Security Administration under the Department of Homeland Security, where she supports the acquisition of mission-critical security technologies essential to aviation and transit infrastructure. Her work centers on securing advanced detection systems, irradiation equipment, and GPS-enabled rail monitoring solutions that enhance national transportation security. Nygaard manages a high-volume portfolio of complex acquisitions governed by FAR Part 12 and Part 13 procedures, often involving technical specifications for explosive and hazardous material detection systems. She collaborates closely with engineering and operational stakeholders to align procurement strategy with TSA’s evolving security requirements. Nygaard cultivates strategic relationships with a diverse array of vendors, particularly those certified under socioeconomic programs. While specific contractor names are not disclosed, her contracting patterns reflect consistent engagement with small businesses holding 8(a) certification, as well as other small business concerns capable of delivering specialized security hardware and integrated system solutions. Her approach emphasizes performance-based contracting, clear statement of work development, and rigorous vendor evaluation to ensure technical compliance and mission readiness. Her procurement portfolio is heavily skewed toward 8(a) competed set-asides, accounting for nearly two-thirds of her awards, demonstrating a strong institutional commitment to socioeconomic inclusion and small business development. The remaining third is allocated to total small business set-asides under FAR 19.5, reinforcing her dedication to expanding opportunities for disadvantaged and emerging vendors in the national security supply chain. Nygaard’s primary industry focus lies in NAICS 337215, where she procures custom showcase, partition, shelving, and locker systems tailored for secure screening environments, alongside NAICS 511130 for specialized software and data solutions supporting security operations. Her technical expertise spans the integration of physical security infrastructure with digital monitoring platforms, ensuring that procured assets meet stringent DHS cybersecurity and interoperability standards.