Shannon Perkins

Shannon Perkins serves as a key procurement lead at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, where they oversee the acquisition of specialized audio and video equipment critical to the Center’s world-class performance operations. Responsible for managing the full lifecycle of contracts—from requirements development to contract execution—Perkins ensures that technical systems supporting stage lighting, sound reinforcement, live broadcasting, and digital signage meet the highest standards of reliability and artistic fidelity. Their work directly supports the Center’s mission to preserve and elevate the performing arts through cutting-edge infrastructure and seamless technical execution, making them a pivotal figure in maintaining the operational integrity of one of the nation’s most prestigious cultural institutions. Perkins cultivates strategic relationships with a network of certified small businesses specializing in professional-grade audiovisual systems, including manufacturers of digital mixers, stage control consoles, and immersive audio arrays. While no single contractor dominates the portfolio, the procurement approach emphasizes collaborative vendor partnerships grounded in technical expertise, rapid response capabilities, and compliance with federal standards. These relationships are built on long-term trust, with an emphasis on vendors capable of delivering customized solutions for complex performance environments. Perkins maintains a 100% Small Business Set-Aside orientation under FAR 19.5, reflecting an unwavering commitment to socioeconomic equity in federal contracting. All acquisitions are intentionally structured to prioritize small business participation, ensuring that innovative, niche suppliers—particularly those with specialized AV manufacturing capabilities—have equitable access to opportunities at the Kennedy Center. Their procurement focus is exclusively centered on NAICS 334310, Audio and Video Equipment Manufacturing, encompassing the acquisition of professional-grade consoles, microphones, amplifiers, lighting control systems, and broadcast transmission hardware. This deep specialization underscores a technical domain expertise in live performance technology, ensuring every procurement aligns with the acoustical, ergonomic, and operational demands of a world-class performing arts venue.