Salvatore F. Chillemi

Salvatore F. Chillemi serves as a Contract Specialist within the Science and Technology Acquisition Division of the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Procurement Operations, where he plays a pivotal role in executing complex acquisitions that advance national security through scientific and technical innovation. He manages the full lifecycle of contracts for high-priority R&D initiatives in physical sciences, engineering, and life sciences, with a focus on next-generation detection systems, cybersecurity infrastructure, and critical infrastructure protection technologies. His work directly supports the agency’s mission to acquire cutting-edge capabilities that enhance homeland defense and resilience against evolving threats. Chillemi maintains strategic relationships with leading technology providers, most notably Microsoft Corporation, to procure enterprise-grade software, cloud services, and secure computing platforms essential to federal mission systems. His contracting approach emphasizes performance-based outcomes and risk-managed vendor partnerships, often involving complex technical requirements and compliance with federal cybersecurity standards such as NIST SP 800-53. He collaborates closely with technical stakeholders to align procurement strategy with operational needs, ensuring acquisitions deliver scalable, interoperable solutions. While the majority of his acquisitions are conducted under open competition—reflecting a 77.8% preference for non-set-aside contracts—Chillemi consistently supports small business participation, with 22.2% of awards structured as Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5. He demonstrates a balanced commitment to socioeconomic goals, ensuring qualified small businesses have meaningful access to high-impact contracts without compromising mission-critical requirements. His primary procurement focus spans NAICS codes including 561612 for security and patrol services, 238990 for specialty trade contracting, and 112990 and 112111 for niche agricultural and biological support services tied to biosecurity and environmental monitoring. He also frequently procures biological product manufacturing under 325414, reflecting deep technical expertise in life sciences applications for threat detection and public health defense.