Phyllis Reaves

Phyllis A. Reaves serves as a Contract Specialist within the Contract Administration Services Division (70RCAS) of the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Procurement Operations, where she plays a pivotal role in executing complex acquisitions that support national security and operational readiness. She manages the full lifecycle of professional, scientific, and technical service contracts, with a focus on engineering services, research and development in physical and engineering sciences, and specialized technical systems. Her work ensures the acquisition of mission-critical capabilities in cybersecurity, systems engineering, and analytical instrumentation, aligning procurement outcomes with DHS’s strategic objectives for technological resilience and scientific innovation. Reaves collaborates with a diverse range of contractors, including large primes and specialized small businesses, to deliver high-integrity technical solutions. While no single contractor dominates her portfolio, she consistently engages firms with proven expertise in engineering design, laboratory instrumentation, and advanced analytical services. Her contracting approach emphasizes performance-based requirements, clear statement of work development, and rigorous source selection processes to ensure technical excellence and mission alignment. Her procurement patterns reflect a strong preference for open competition, with 84.6% of awards issued without set-aside restrictions. However, she actively supports socioeconomic programs, dedicating 7.7% of her awards to Total Small Business Set-Asides and another 7.7% to Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses, demonstrating a balanced commitment to both efficiency and inclusive contracting. Reaves specializes in NAICS 541330 (Engineering Services) and 541712 (Research and Development in Physical and Engineering Sciences), which together account for over 60% of her portfolio. She also procures specialized goods and services under 325920 (Explosives Manufacturing) and 334516 (Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing), reflecting deep technical domain knowledge in defense-related instrumentation, hazardous materials handling, and precision scientific equipment. Her expertise ensures that acquisitions meet stringent federal standards for safety, reliability, and operational effectiveness.