Sandra K. Souders

Sandra K. Souders serves as a Purchasing Agent for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), where she supports the agency’s mission of environmental stewardship and scientific research through strategic procurement of critical instrumentation, data systems, and technical services. She manages a diverse portfolio of acquisitions aligned with NOAA’s operational needs in oceanographic monitoring, atmospheric research, and coastal resilience, ensuring compliance with federal acquisition regulations and mission-driven sourcing priorities. Her work directly enables the deployment of advanced sensors, modeling tools, and field equipment essential to weather forecasting and marine ecosystem protection. Souders maintains consistent working relationships with a select group of contractors, including WISCONSIN EDUCATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS BOARD, TRONCONI SEGARRA & ASSOCIATES LLP, JNB SERVICES LLC, PURE ENVIRO-MANAGEMENT, LLC, and THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO. These partnerships reflect a blend of academic, technical services, and environmental management vendors, indicating a preference for specialized, mission-aligned providers capable of delivering customized solutions in environmental data systems and scientific support services. Her contracting patterns suggest a focus on long-term, performance-based engagements rather than commoditized procurement. While the majority of her acquisitions—75.5%—are conducted without set-asides, she demonstrates a notable commitment to small business participation, with 24.5% of awards designated as Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5. This reflects a deliberate effort to engage qualified small firms in supporting NOAA’s scientific infrastructure, though she does not prioritize specialized socioeconomic categories like 8(a) or HUBZone at scale. Her primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 511210 (Software Publishers) and 334511 (Navigation and Aeronautical Instrument Manufacturing), underscoring expertise in acquiring environmental data systems, remote sensing technologies, and scientific instrumentation. She also frequently procures services under 541690 (Scientific Consulting) and 541519 (Other Computer-Related Services), indicating deep engagement with data analytics, modeling support, and technical advisory services critical to NOAA’s research and forecasting missions.