Sarah Waugh

Sarah Waugh serves as a procurement professional within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), supporting critical acquisitions aligned with the agency’s mission to advance oceanic, atmospheric, and coastal science. She manages a diverse portfolio of contracts focused on professional and technical services essential to environmental monitoring, data systems, and maritime operations. Her work directly enables NOAA’s capacity to deliver accurate weather forecasts, protect marine ecosystems, and maintain coastal infrastructure through the acquisition of specialized instrumentation, research support, and operational services. Waugh routinely handles complex procurements under FAR Part 15, emphasizing performance-based contracting and technical evaluation criteria to ensure mission-critical outcomes. She maintains established relationships with a range 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 balanced approach to sourcing expertise—from academic research institutions and environmental consulting firms to niche service providers supporting transportation and data systems. Waugh’s contracting patterns indicate a preference for experienced, technically capable vendors capable of delivering high-integrity scientific and operational support under stringent federal compliance standards. Her procurement strategy prioritizes open competition, with 81.2% of awards issued without set-asides, reflecting a focus on technical merit over socioeconomic preferences. Nevertheless, she consistently supports small business participation, with 17.6% of awards designated as total small business set-asides and 1.2% reserved for service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses, demonstrating a measured commitment to socioeconomic goals without compromising mission requirements. Waugh’s primary NAICS focus areas include 541990 (All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services), 541519 (Other Computer Related Services), and 334511 (Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing), underscoring her expertise in procuring environmental data systems, modeling tools, marine instrumentation, and transportation support services critical to NOAA’s scientific and operational missions.