Scott Ballweg

Scott Ballweg supports the Agricultural Research Service’s Agricultural Research Facility Management and Procurement Division in securing critical infrastructure and technical services essential to advancing agricultural science. He manages a diverse portfolio of acquisitions focused on laboratory instrumentation, precision equipment maintenance, and specialized research support services that enable high-throughput biological and environmental studies. His work ensures that USDA ARS research facilities remain equipped with state-of-the-art analytical tools necessary for food security and sustainable farming innovation, aligning procurement decisions directly with mission-critical scientific objectives. Ballweg maintains consistent relationships with a select group of contractors including Georgia Commercial and Residential Elevator, LLC, Germfree Laboratories, LLC, and Millennium Enterprise Corp., among others. These partnerships reflect a focus on niche vendors capable of delivering specialized facility services, cleanroom systems, and technical support tailored to sensitive research environments. His contracting approach emphasizes reliability, technical compliance, and long-term vendor collaboration, particularly with firms experienced in supporting federal research infrastructure under stringent environmental and biosafety standards. A strong advocate for small business participation, Ballweg prioritizes Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5, with approximately 60% of his acquisitions reserved for small businesses. This reflects a deliberate strategy to foster innovation and capacity-building within the small business community while ensuring access to specialized capabilities often held by agile, domain-specific vendors. His socioeconomic contracting patterns demonstrate a balanced commitment to inclusion without compromising technical rigor. His procurement focus centers on NAICS codes including 325320 for agricultural chemical systems, 541512 for computer systems design supporting data-driven research, and 811420 for facility maintenance services critical to lab integrity. While some categories appear unconventional, they reflect the unique operational needs of research facilities requiring tailored solutions—from environmental controls to digital infrastructure—that bridge scientific demand with practical procurement execution.