Carolyn A. Smith

Richard J. Simons serves as a Contract Specialist within the Contract Administration Services Division (70RCAS) of the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Procurement Operations. He is responsible for managing the full lifecycle of complex professional, scientific, and technical service acquisitions that directly support national security objectives. His portfolio centers on research and development in physical and engineering sciences, with a focus on cybersecurity, systems engineering, and operational readiness initiatives. Simons ensures compliance with federal acquisition regulations while facilitating timely, transparent, and mission-critical contract awards that sustain DHS’s technical infrastructure and innovation pipeline. Simons collaborates with a broad spectrum of prime contractors specializing in advanced R&D, systems integration, and technical consulting services. While no single contractor dominates his portfolio, he routinely engages with firms possessing deep expertise in engineering sciences, computational modeling, and cybersecurity architecture. His contracting approach emphasizes performance-based outcomes, clear statement of work definitions, and rigorous contractor oversight to ensure technical deliverables align with mission-critical requirements. He maintains a results-driven, relationship-focused partnership model that prioritizes accountability and innovation. Simons’ procurement patterns reflect a strong preference for open competition, with 100% of his acquisitions issued without set-aside designations. This indicates a strategic focus on maximizing technical capability and market competition rather than socioeconomic set-asides. While he does not prioritize 8(a), HUBZone, or SDVOSB set-asides, his approach ensures that all qualified vendors—regardless of size or certification—are evaluated on technical merit and past performance. His primary NAICS focus is 541712—Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)—reflecting his specialization in procuring advanced scientific services such as materials engineering, sensor development, threat analysis, and systems modeling. He consistently acquires high-value technical expertise to enhance DHS’s capability in physical security, infrastructure resilience, and next-generation defense technologies.