Raphael R. Dirden

Raphael Dirden serves as a Contract Specialist within the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, where he plays a pivotal role in executing procurements that advance federal nutrition assistance programs such as SNAP, WIC, and the National School Lunch Program. His responsibilities include developing, negotiating, and administering complex contracts aligned with FNS’s mission of ensuring equitable access to nutritious food through data-driven policy and operational modernization. He specializes in acquisitions supporting program evaluation, administrative management, and technology infrastructure, ensuring compliance with federal procurement regulations and fostering accountability across the supply chain. Dirden collaborates with a diverse array of vendors, primarily small businesses and specialized consulting firms, to deliver services that enhance program integrity and efficiency. His working relationships emphasize long-term partnerships with contractors capable of delivering analytical, technical, and operational support tailored to the unique needs of federal nutrition programs. He prioritizes vendors with demonstrated expertise in public sector program implementation and maintains a collaborative procurement approach grounded in transparency and performance-based outcomes. A staunch advocate for small business participation, Dirden consistently applies Small Business Set-Aside authorities under FAR 19.5, with 83.3% of his acquisitions reserved for small businesses. His contracting patterns reflect a deliberate commitment to socioeconomic inclusion, regularly leveraging set-asides to empower small disadvantaged businesses, women-owned firms, and other eligible entities, thereby expanding opportunities for underrepresented vendors in federal nutrition services. His primary procurement focus centers on NAICS codes 611710 (Educational Support Services), 541720 (Social Science Research), 541611 (Management Consulting), 523910 (Intermediation Services), and 518210 (Data Processing and Hosting). He routinely procures services related to program evaluation, data analytics, administrative systems, and digital infrastructure, demonstrating deep technical expertise in supporting evidence-based decision-making and modernizing the operational backbone of federal nutrition assistance.