Paula Wilkison

Paula A. Wilkison serves as a Contract Specialist at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), where she plays a pivotal role in securing specialized scientific and technical resources critical to advancing U.S. measurement science and industrial innovation. Her procurement portfolio centers on high-precision analytical instrumentation, semiconductor process support, and advanced manufacturing technologies that underpin national competitiveness and scientific integrity. Wilkison manages complex acquisitions under FAR Part 15, often involving technical evaluations, performance-based requirements, and long-term service agreements with vendors capable of meeting NIST’s stringent calibration and compliance standards. She maintains consistent working relationships with leading providers of laboratory instrumentation and technical services, including Quality Biological, Inc., Advanced Technologies and Laboratories (ATL) International, Inc., and Physical Electronics USA, Inc. These partnerships reflect a focus on suppliers with proven expertise in metrology-grade equipment, vacuum systems, and analytical sensor technologies. Her contracting approach emphasizes vendor reliability, technical capability, and adherence to NIST’s quality assurance protocols, fostering collaborative, long-term engagements rather than transactional procurement. Wilkison’s contracting patterns show a strong preference for open competition, with 77.3% of awards issued without set-aside designations, reflecting the specialized nature of the goods and services required. However, she actively supports small business participation, with 22.6% of awards allocated under Total Small Business Set-Asides, consistently prioritizing capable small businesses that meet the technical demands of NIST’s mission. Her primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 334516 (Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing), encompassing mass spectrometers, spectroscopy systems, and precision measurement devices. She also engages in acquisitions under related categories such as semiconductor manufacturing and engineering services, demonstrating deep technical fluency in domains critical to NIST’s work in standards development, materials characterization, and quantum technology advancement.