Raquel.clinton

Raquel Clinton serves as a key procurement lead within the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) under the U.S. Department of Agriculture, overseeing the acquisition of processed and preserved agricultural commodities to support federal nutrition assistance programs. Responsible for managing complex contract actions under the 123J14 agency code, she ensures the reliable procurement of shelf-stable, nutritionally compliant food products—including canned, frozen, dried, and prepared items—to meet the dietary needs of vulnerable populations. Her acquisitions are strategically aligned with AMS’s mission to maintain a resilient, safe, and efficient supply chain for domestic food assistance, with a focus on high-volume, mission-critical procurement actions that require strict adherence to federal food safety and quality standards. Her primary contractor relationships center on Navcor Logistics LLC, a trusted vendor with demonstrated capacity in the handling, storage, and distribution of temperature-sensitive and perishable food commodities. Clinton consistently engages with suppliers possessing specialized expertise in food processing and logistics, fostering long-term partnerships that prioritize compliance, scalability, and supply chain continuity. Her contracting approach emphasizes performance-based outcomes and rigorous vendor accountability to ensure product integrity from processing to delivery. Clinton’s procurement portfolio reflects a strong preference for open competition, with 100% of awards issued under no set-aside status. This reflects a strategic focus on maximizing vendor competition and operational efficiency rather than socioeconomic set-asides, aligning with the scale and urgency of USDA’s food assistance mandates. While small business participation is not formally prioritized through 8(a), HUBZone, or SDVOSB programs, her awards remain accessible to all qualified vendors capable of meeting stringent technical and logistical requirements. Her industry focus is concentrated in NAICS 311611 (Animal Slaughtering) at 55.6%, followed by seafood packaging (311710), poultry processing (311615), and cookie and cracker manufacturing (311821). She specializes in procuring ready-to-serve, shelf-stable meat, seafood, and baked goods that meet federal nutrition standards, demonstrating deep technical expertise in food safety protocols, cold chain logistics, and commodity-based procurement systems.