Sommer Starr

Sommer Starr serves as a Contracting Officer for Federal Prison Industries, a unique component of the U.S. Department of Justice dedicated to providing rehabilitative employment opportunities for incarcerated individuals through industrial production. In this role, she manages the full lifecycle of procurement actions for goods and services essential to federal operations, ensuring compliance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation and the statutory mandate of FPI to foster inmate skill development and self-sufficiency. Her acquisitions primarily support manufacturing and industrial output, including food processing, plastics, signage, and agricultural inputs, aligning with FPI’s mission to supply high-quality, cost-effective products to federal agencies while advancing correctional rehabilitation goals. Starr maintains a consistent working relationship with Mandel Metals Inc., a key supplier of metal components and fabricated goods, reflecting a pattern of sustained vendor partnerships rooted in reliability and capacity alignment with FPI’s production needs. Her contracting approach emphasizes long-term collaboration with vendors capable of meeting stringent quality and volume requirements, often involving complex manufacturing workflows and just-in-time delivery protocols. She actively cultivates relationships with suppliers who can scale operations in alignment with FPI’s inmate workforce capabilities. A strong advocate for socioeconomic inclusion, Starr directs 83.3% of her acquisitions toward total small business set-asides under FAR 19.5, demonstrating a robust commitment to small business participation. Her portfolio consistently prioritizes small businesses, including those owned by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals, reflecting FPI’s broader mission of economic empowerment through federal procurement. Her primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 311119 (Other Animal Food Manufacturing), 326199 (All Other Plastics Product Manufacturing), and 339950 (Sign Manufacturing), indicating deep expertise in industrial food production, thermoplastic fabrication, and custom signage systems. She routinely oversees the acquisition of specialized materials and finished goods requiring precise technical specifications, reinforcing FPI’s role as a mission-driven federal manufacturer.