Randall W Kiehne

Randall W. Kiehne serves as a Purchasing Agent for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service, Office of Acquisition and Procurement, where he facilitates the acquisition of mission-critical scientific infrastructure and specialized research services. His role is central to enabling cutting-edge agricultural and biological research by securing high-precision laboratory instrumentation, field equipment, and technical support services essential to the agency’s R&D operations. Kiehne routinely manages complex procurements for ultra-low-temperature freezers, micro-CT scanners, sterilization systems, and analytical testing services, ensuring compliance with federal acquisition regulations while aligning purchases with scientific priorities and operational readiness goals. He maintains consistent working relationships with key vendors including McKenzie Construction & Site Development LLC for facility upgrades, Larkos Packing and Distribution Inc. for specialized logistics, Arabic Interpreters LLC for linguistic support in multilingual research environments, and AMD International Technologies LLC for advanced instrumentation and technical integration. These partnerships reflect a pattern of engaging both general contractors and niche service providers with proven expertise in supporting federal scientific missions. Kiehne’s contracting portfolio is predominantly open competition, with 78% of awards issued without set-asides, yet he actively supports small business participation through Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5, which account for nearly 22% of his awards. His approach balances efficiency with socioeconomic objectives, fostering opportunities for qualified small businesses without compromising technical requirements. His procurement focus is heavily concentrated in NAICS 334516 (Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing), reflecting his specialization in high-end scientific equipment, followed by biological product manufacturing (325414) and testing laboratory services (541380). He consistently procures precision measurement devices, bioreactors, and field-ready analytical tools, demonstrating deep technical fluency in the lifecycle management of research-grade instrumentation and associated support services.