Paul T Osterhaus

Paul T. Osterhaus serves as a Contract Specialist at the Drug Enforcement Administration Headquarters (15DDHQ), where he plays a pivotal role in executing procurements that support the agency’s mission to combat illicit drug trafficking through advanced technological and operational capabilities. He manages a diverse portfolio of acquisitions centered on secure communications, surveillance systems, forensic analysis tools, and hazardous waste management services critical to DEA’s field and laboratory operations. His work ensures compliance with federal contracting regulations while aligning procurement outcomes with national security and law enforcement priorities. Osterhaus maintains established relationships with key contractors including OCTASIC US INC., OBSIDIAN INTEGRATION, LLC, and SECURITY PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL, LLC, who provide specialized intelligence, surveillance, and secure equipment solutions. He also collaborates with niche providers such as CAYMAN CHEMICAL CO INC. for forensic chemical standards and FOCUS CAMERA LLC for specialized imaging hardware. His contracting approach emphasizes vendor reliability, technical precision, and adherence to federal security standards, fostering long-term partnerships with firms capable of supporting mission-critical, high-integrity deployments. While the majority of his acquisitions are competed without set-asides (65.2%), Osterhaus consistently prioritizes small business participation, with 34.8% of awards designated as total small business set-asides under FAR 19.5. His contracting patterns reflect a deliberate effort to expand opportunities for qualified small businesses, particularly those with expertise in technical services and environmental compliance, without compromising operational readiness or regulatory compliance. His primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 562112 (Hazardous Waste Collection) and 562211 (Hazardous Waste Treatment and Disposal), reflecting DEA’s need for compliant disposal of controlled substances and chemical byproducts. He also procures custom programming services (541511) and technical consulting (541690) to support data analytics and forensic systems, demonstrating deep domain expertise in law enforcement technology and environmental safety protocols.