Sarah L. Heyward

Sarah L. Heyward serves as a Contract Specialist within the Office of the Chief Procurement Officer at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, where she manages the acquisition of professional services critical to advancing equitable housing access and regulatory compliance. Her portfolio centers on securing expertise in housing program integrity, data-driven policy analysis, and administrative modernization, with a focus on consulting, accounting, and financial services that support HUD’s mission to strengthen underwriting frameworks and combat housing insecurity. She executes full lifecycle procurements under FAR Part 15, ensuring alignment with federal standards for transparency, competition, and mission-driven outcomes. Heyward cultivates strategic partnerships with a diverse range of service providers, including management consultants, certified public accounting firms, and specialized financial services vendors. While no single contractor dominates her award portfolio, she consistently engages firms with demonstrated experience in housing finance, public sector compliance, and data analytics. Her working relationships are characterized by collaborative sourcing, rigorous vendor evaluations, and a preference for vendors with proven track records in federal housing programs. Her contracting patterns reflect a strong commitment to small business participation, with nearly 29% of her acquisitions set aside for total small businesses under FAR 19.5. Although no other socioeconomic set-asides are predominant, her emphasis on small business eligibility demonstrates a deliberate effort to expand market access for firms capable of delivering high-quality professional services to HUD’s mission-critical initiatives. Heyward’s primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 519130 (Other Information Services), followed by 541611 (Management Consulting Services), 541211 and 541219 (Accounting Services), and 525990 (Other Financial Vehicles). She routinely acquires analytical, financial advisory, and administrative support services essential to modernizing HUD’s operational infrastructure and enhancing the integrity of housing programs through evidence-based decision-making.