Sandra L. Hawkins

Sandra L. Hawkins serves as Director of Administration for the Contract Administration Services Division within the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Procurement Operations, where she oversees the end-to-end lifecycle of professional, scientific, and technical service acquisitions critical to national security. In this role, she ensures alignment of contracting strategies with the agency’s mission to advance research and development in physical and engineering sciences, enhance cybersecurity infrastructure, and maintain systems integrity across federal operations. Her portfolio primarily encompasses complex, high-stakes contracts for IT modernization, systems engineering, and technical advisory services, requiring rigorous compliance with federal acquisition regulations and performance-based management frameworks. While specific contractor names are not publicly disclosed, Hawkins maintains strategic partnerships with a broad spectrum of qualified vendors specializing in advanced technical services, including firms with deep expertise in cybersecurity architecture, data analytics, and mission-critical systems integration. Her procurement approach emphasizes performance outcomes, contract fidelity, and long-term operational readiness, fostering collaborative relationships with contractors who demonstrate technical excellence and compliance discipline. Hawkins’ office exhibits a strong preference for unrestricted competition, with 100% of acquisitions conducted under non-set-aside authorities. This reflects a strategic focus on maximizing technical capability and market competition rather than socioeconomic set-asides, though small business participation remains possible through open, competitive solicitations that do not prioritize socioeconomic categories. Her primary procurement focus lies within NAICS 541519 (Other Computer Related Services), underscoring a specialization in non-standardized, mission-tailored IT services such as cloud migration support, systems interoperability testing, and cybersecurity risk assessment. She consistently procures solutions that require specialized knowledge in federal information systems, network resilience, and engineered technical support—ensuring DHS maintains operational superiority in an evolving threat landscape.