Shannon Baker

Shannon Baker supports the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) within the U.S. Department of Agriculture in managing critical procurement activities aligned with the agency’s mission to advance scientific solutions for agricultural productivity and food safety. Though their formal title is not listed, Baker plays a pivotal role in acquiring specialized equipment and services essential to field and laboratory research, including precision farming tools, soil analysis instrumentation, and agricultural input systems. Their acquisitions directly enable ARS scientists to conduct high-impact research on crop resilience, livestock health, and sustainable land management, ensuring that federal research infrastructure remains technologically current and operationally effective. Baker maintains a consistent working relationship with McKenzie Construction & Site Development LLC, a key vendor providing site development and infrastructure support critical to ARS research facilities. This partnership reflects a focus on contractors capable of delivering specialized construction and land preparation services tailored to the unique needs of agricultural research sites, including laboratory compound expansions, field plot installations, and biosecure facility upgrades. The relationship suggests a preference for vendors with demonstrated expertise in site-specific agricultural infrastructure rather than general contractors. Baker’s contracting patterns reveal a balanced approach to socioeconomic preferences, with approximately one-third of awards designated as total small business set-asides under FAR 19.5, indicating a deliberate effort to engage small business participants. The remaining two-thirds are open competitions, suggesting flexibility in procurement strategy based on technical complexity and market availability. The procurement portfolio is evenly split between NAICS 115112 (Soil Preparation, Planting, and Cultivating) and NAICS 811219 (Other Support Activities for Crop Production), underscoring expertise in both field-level agricultural operations and technical support services for research farms. This dual focus highlights a deep understanding of the operational and logistical demands of USDA research stations, where precision agriculture and site-specific maintenance are foundational to scientific outcomes.