Phyllis Barnes

Phyllis F. Barnes serves as a Contracting Officer within the Property Management - Co under the Department of Justice’s Federal Prison System, where she leads the acquisition of critical behavioral health and reentry support services for incarcerated and transitioning populations. Her procurement responsibilities encompass the full lifecycle of contracts for outpatient mental health and residential care facilities, ensuring compliance with federal regulations and alignment with the Bureau of Prisons’ mission to expand access to evidence-based treatment and community reintegration programs. She manages complex service-based acquisitions requiring stringent performance metrics, clinical oversight, and interagency coordination. Ms. Barnes maintains collaborative relationships with a diverse range of service providers, including nonprofit behavioral health organizations, private residential treatment centers, and clinical staffing firms. Her contracting approach emphasizes performance-based outcomes, quality assurance protocols, and contractor accountability in delivering trauma-informed care. While no single vendor dominates her portfolio, she consistently engages firms with demonstrated expertise in correctional healthcare delivery and culturally competent reentry programming. Her procurement activity reflects a strong preference for open competition, with 100% of her awards issued under no set-aside status. This indicates a focus on selecting the most qualified providers based on technical merit and capacity rather than socioeconomic designations, though she remains compliant with all small business participation goals as required by statute. Her primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 621420 (Outpatient Mental Health and Substance Abuse Centers) and 623990 (Other Residential Care Facilities), reflecting deep expertise in acquiring integrated behavioral health services, including counseling, medication-assisted treatment, case management, and transitional housing. She specializes in contracts requiring licensed clinical staff, compliance with HIPAA and 42 CFR Part 2, and coordination with state and local social service agencies to ensure seamless care continuity post-release.