Norieko G. Whitehead

Norieko G. Whitehead serves as a Contract Specialist with the W6QM MICC-FDO at Fort Sam Houston, supporting the U.S. Army’s mission to sustain installation readiness through strategic procurement of mission-critical facilities and operational services. In this role, she manages the full lifecycle of acquisition actions—from market research and solicitation development to contract award and administration—ensuring compliance with FAR, DFARS, and Army-specific regulatory frameworks. Her portfolio primarily encompasses infrastructure sustainment, medical equipment procurement, and base services contracts that directly enable garrison operations and force readiness across Army installations. Whitehead maintains a consistent working relationship with VETPRIDE SERVICES, INC., a key contractor delivering specialized support services aligned with the agency’s operational needs. Her procurement approach emphasizes reliable vendor performance and long-term partnership development, particularly with firms capable of delivering complex, high-integrity solutions under tight operational timelines. While she engages a range of vendors, her pattern reflects a preference for established contractors with proven capacity in technical and logistical domains critical to military base operations. Her contracting activity demonstrates a strong orientation toward open competition, with 80% of awards issued without set-aside restrictions. However, she actively promotes small business participation, consistently allocating approximately 10% of awards to Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5, with additional allocations to Women-Owned Small Businesses and SBA-certified Economically Disadvantaged WOSBs, as well as competed 8(a) opportunities, reflecting a balanced commitment to socioeconomic goals. Her primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 339112 (Surgical and Medical Instrument Manufacturing) and 334517 (Irradiation Apparatus Manufacturing), indicating deep expertise in acquiring specialized medical and radiation equipment for military healthcare facilities. She also procures services under NAICS 622110 (hospitals) and 531120 (nonresidential building lessors), demonstrating proficiency in both technical hardware and facility-based support contracts essential to sustaining Army medical and garrison infrastructure.