Shane M. Pope

Shane Pope serves as the primary procurement lead for the USDA Agricultural Research Service’s Agricultural Research Facility Management and Procurement Division, where he oversees the acquisition of specialized laboratory instrumentation, precision maintenance services, and mission-critical infrastructure to support high-throughput agricultural research. His role is central to enabling cutting-edge scientific operations in food security and sustainable farming, ensuring that advanced analytical tools—from mass spectrometers to environmental monitoring systems—are procured in alignment with federal acquisition regulations and scientific operational timelines. He manages a diverse portfolio of contracts spanning equipment procurement, facility upgrades, and technical service agreements, prioritizing reliability, compliance, and scientific interoperability. Pope maintains consistent working relationships with a select group of specialized vendors, including Germfree Laboratories, LLC for controlled-environment research facilities; J’s Associates, LLC for technical maintenance of analytical instruments; and Millennium Enterprise Corp. for precision equipment integration. His procurement patterns reflect a preference for niche contractors with proven expertise in laboratory-grade systems, commercial instrumentation repair, and research facility construction, fostering long-term partnerships built on technical proficiency and regulatory compliance. A strong advocate for small business participation, Pope consistently directs over 76% of his acquisitions toward Small Business Set-Aside contracts under FAR 19.5, with a notable emphasis on economically disadvantaged and locally rooted vendors. While Women-Owned Small Business set-asides represent a smaller fraction, his overall contracting strategy reflects a deliberate and sustained commitment to socioeconomic inclusion across the procurement lifecycle. His primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 334516 (Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing) and 333111 (Farm Machinery and Equipment Manufacturing), reflecting deep expertise in procuring mass spectrometers, automated sample processors, and precision agricultural sensors. He also manages construction and maintenance contracts under NAICS 236220 and 811310, ensuring research facilities meet stringent environmental and operational standards for biological and environmental research.