Rachel Stone

Rachel Stone supports the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s procurement mission by managing technical acquisitions critical to NOAA’s environmental monitoring and operational resilience. She oversees contracts for advanced instrumentation, data systems, and specialized infrastructure services that enable oceanic and atmospheric research, weather forecasting, and coastal protection initiatives. Her portfolio emphasizes high-precision scientific equipment, custom software development, and maintenance of mission-critical systems, ensuring alignment with NOAA’s strategic priorities in Earth system science and climate resilience. She engages across the acquisition lifecycle—from requirements definition to contract award and administration—to deliver mission-ready capabilities under federal procurement regulations. Stone maintains consistent partnerships with a diverse set of contractors, including Wisconsin Educational Communications Board for communication infrastructure, Tronconi Segarra & Associates LLP for technical consulting, JNB Services LLC for logistics and support, Pure Enviro-Management, LLC for environmental compliance services, and The Regents of the University of Colorado for research-driven solutions. Her contracting patterns reflect a preference for established technical vendors with proven expertise in marine and atmospheric systems, while also integrating specialized small businesses capable of delivering niche engineering and maintenance services. These relationships are characterized by long-term engagement and performance-based contract structures. Her procurement approach prioritizes open competition, with 81.8% of awards issued without set-asides, reflecting a focus on technical merit and capability over socioeconomic preferences. However, she consistently allocates 18.2% of opportunities to total small business set-asides under FAR 19.5, demonstrating a balanced commitment to fostering competition among qualified small firms without compromising mission requirements. Stone’s primary NAICS focus areas include Search, Detection, Navigation, and Nautical Instrument Manufacturing (334511), Custom Computer Programming Services (541511), Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance (811210), and All Other Specialty Trade Contractors (238990). These reflect her domain expertise in procuring oceanographic sensors, data processing systems, field instrumentation, and technical maintenance services essential to NOAA’s operational infrastructure.