Omari A. Fennell

Omari A. Fennell serves as a key procurement professional within the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Office of Acquisition, supporting the agency’s mission to enhance road safety through evidence-based technology and regulatory innovation. Responsible for managing complex acquisitions in engineering, technical services, and testing, Fennell ensures compliance with federal procurement regulations while advancing NHTSA’s priorities in vehicle safety systems, behavioral research, and data-driven policy development. Their portfolio primarily encompasses professional, scientific, and technical services, with a strong emphasis on custom software development, laboratory testing, and engineering support critical to evaluating emerging automotive technologies and safety standards. Fennell maintains consistent contracting relationships with specialized vendors including AMD International Technologies LLC, Aerospace & Commercial Technologies, LLC, and the National Association of ESEA State Program Administrators, reflecting a preference for firms with expertise in safety analytics, systems integration, and public outreach infrastructure. These partnerships are typically structured through competed procurements that prioritize technical capability, past performance, and compliance with federal standards, indicating a focus on mission-critical, high-integrity service delivery rather than commodity procurement. Set-aside preferences reveal a predominantly open competition environment, with 79% of acquisitions conducted without socioeconomic set-asides. However, Fennell demonstrates active support for small business participation, allocating 15.8% of awards to total small business set-asides under FAR 19.5 and 5.3% to 8(a) competed contracts, aligning with NHTSA’s broader goals of fostering innovation through diverse vendor engagement. The procurement portfolio is heavily concentrated in NAICS 541511 (Custom Computer Programming Services), 541380 (Testing Laboratories and Services), and 541990 (Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services), reflecting deep expertise in software development for safety modeling, independent vehicle performance testing, and applied engineering research. Additional focus on 334519 and 541330 underscores technical proficiency in acquiring precision measurement systems and engineering consulting services essential to regulatory compliance and safety innovation.