Rashiid Cummins

Rashiid Cummins serves as a key procurement lead within the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), supporting the agency’s mission to advance scientific research on substance use disorders through strategic acquisition of specialized scientific and technical services. He manages a diverse portfolio of research-supporting contracts, primarily focused on laboratory instrumentation, clinical testing infrastructure, and analytical services critical to neurobiological and behavioral research. His acquisitions enable the translation of laboratory findings into evidence-based clinical and public health interventions, aligning closely with NIDA’s strategic priorities in addiction science and translational research. Cummins maintains strong, long-term relationships with leading academic medical institutions including McLean Hospital Corporation, the University of Maryland Baltimore, the University of Miami, the University of Pittsburgh, and the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. These partnerships reflect a preference for high-caliber research entities capable of delivering complex, multi-site scientific services, including clinical trial support, biomarker analysis, and advanced data acquisition systems. His contracting approach emphasizes performance-based outcomes and scientific rigor, fostering collaborative, mission-driven vendor relationships grounded in peer-reviewed research standards. His procurement patterns show a strong preference for open competition, with over 90% of awards issued without set-aside restrictions. While small business participation remains modest, he consistently supports Total Small Business Set-Asides and, to a lesser extent, Women-Owned Small Business and 8(a) programs, reflecting a balanced approach that prioritizes technical capability while maintaining pathways for qualified small entities. Cummins’ primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 334516 (Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing), 621511 (Medical Laboratories), and 541380 (Testing Laboratories and Services), underscoring his expertise in acquiring high-precision research equipment, clinical diagnostic systems, and specialized analytical testing services. His work underpins NIDA’s capacity to conduct cutting-edge neuroimaging, pharmacokinetic analysis, and behavioral assessment studies essential to advancing addiction science.