Sara Steinberger

Sara Steinberger serves as a Contract Specialist within the Contracts and Acquisitions Management unit of the U.S. Department of Education, where she plays a pivotal role in executing strategic procurements that advance federal education policy and institutional capacity. She manages the full lifecycle of professional services contracts, ensuring alignment with federal acquisition regulations and the agency’s mission to strengthen evidence-based decision-making in postsecondary education. Her portfolio primarily encompasses consulting services that support regulatory compliance, data system modernization, and federal student aid infrastructure development, with a focus on delivering high-integrity, mission-critical solutions through competitive and transparent contracting processes. Steinberger maintains a consistent working relationship with LPE-STRATEGIES LLC, a primary contractor providing specialized technical and management consulting services. Her procurement approach emphasizes performance-based outcomes, clear statement of work development, and rigorous vendor evaluation under best-value selection criteria. She engages with vendors through structured solicitation processes, including requests for proposals and indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contracts, fostering long-term partnerships grounded in accountability and measurable results. Her contracting patterns reflect a strong preference for full and open competition, with 100% of her awards issued under no set-aside designations. This indicates a deliberate focus on selecting the most qualified providers regardless of socioeconomic status, prioritizing technical capability and past performance over socioeconomically targeted set-asides. While she does not routinely utilize 8(a), HUBZone, or SDVOSB programs, her approach ensures equitable access through robust market research and open competition. Steinberger’s primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 541690 (Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services) and NAICS 541611 (Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services), reflecting her specialization in policy analysis, operational efficiency consulting, and data governance support for federal education systems. She routinely acquires services related to institutional research, compliance auditing, and technical assistance for Title IV programs, demonstrating deep domain expertise in the administrative and analytical underpinnings of federal student aid infrastructure.