Samantha Johnson

Samantha Johnson serves as a key procurement professional within the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) in Minneapolis, MN, supporting critical biosecurity and diagnostic infrastructure initiatives. She manages a diverse portfolio of acquisitions aligned with APHIS’s mission to safeguard U.S. agricultural systems from invasive pests and pathogens, overseeing contracts for laboratory services, specialized equipment, and operational support. Her work directly enables scientific surveillance, pathogen detection, and containment response capabilities, with a focus on high-integrity technical procurements that meet stringent federal biosecurity standards. Johnson maintains consistent working relationships with a select group of specialized vendors, including Aerospace & Commercial Technologies, LLC, Thorobred Aviation Maintenance, Inc., and AR6 Construction & Engineering, LLC, reflecting her focus on niche technical and logistical support. Her contractor engagements span analytical instrumentation, facility maintenance, and agricultural chemical handling services, often requiring compliance with USDA biosafety level protocols. She prioritizes vendors with proven expertise in regulated environments, ensuring reliability and adherence to federal health and safety mandates. A strong advocate for small business participation, Johnson consistently structures procurements to maximize opportunities under the Small Business Set-Aside program, with over 57% of her awards designated for small businesses. She also frequently utilizes Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) set-asides, demonstrating a deliberate commitment to socioeconomic equity in federal contracting. Her patterns reflect a strategic alignment with FAR 19.5 guidelines and a preference for competitive small business avenues over unrestricted awards. Her procurement focus centers on NAICS categories including 541380 (Testing Laboratories and Services), 325320 (Pesticide and Agricultural Chemical Manufacturing), and 334516 (Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing), underscoring her technical expertise in supporting diagnostic science and agrochemical safety. She regularly acquires specialized lab equipment, janitorial services for biocontainment zones, and custom chemical formulations, ensuring APHIS maintains operational readiness for emerging biological threats.