Sarah Berman

Sarah Berman serves as a Contract Specialist within the 693JJ3 Acquisition and Grants Management unit of the Federal Highway Administration, where she plays a pivotal role in executing procurements that advance the nation’s transportation infrastructure through research, engineering, and technical consulting services. She manages the full lifecycle of complex acquisitions, from requirements development and market research to contract award and administration, ensuring alignment with federal regulations and the agency’s mission to enhance highway safety, resilience, and innovation. Her portfolio primarily consists of professional services contracts supporting transportation systems analysis, infrastructure design, and operational research. Berman maintains enduring relationships with key contractors including K & M Transportation Services LLC and the University of California, Los Angeles, reflecting a balanced mix of private-sector consulting firms and academic research institutions. Her contracting approach emphasizes performance-based outcomes, leveraging competitive bidding and strategic sourcing to secure high-quality technical expertise. She frequently engages with vendors capable of delivering data-driven solutions for traffic modeling, pavement analysis, and transportation policy evaluation, fostering long-term partnerships grounded in compliance and technical excellence. Her procurement patterns show a strong preference for open competition, with 90.5% of awards issued without set-aside restrictions, indicating a focus on merit-based selection. Nevertheless, she consistently supports small business participation, allocating 9.5% of awards under Total Small Business Set-Asides in accordance with FAR 19.5, demonstrating a deliberate commitment to expanding opportunities for qualified small businesses without compromising technical rigor. Berman’s primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 541690 (Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services) and 541712 (Research and Development in Physical and Engineering Sciences), with significant activity in engineering services and general management consulting. She specializes in acquiring analytical, operational, and technical support services critical to evidence-based infrastructure planning, ensuring that FHWA’s projects are informed by cutting-edge research and industry best practices.