Stephen L Rice Jr

Stephen L. Rice Jr. serves as a Contract Specialist responsible for managing the full lifecycle of federal acquisitions, from market research and solicitation development to contract award and administration. He plays a critical role in ensuring compliance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) while advancing mission-critical procurement objectives within his organization. His portfolio primarily consists of complex procurements for advanced medical and analytical instrumentation, requiring deep technical understanding and rigorous source selection processes. Rice routinely handles competitive sealed bids and negotiated acquisitions, often involving high-precision equipment and specialized scientific supplies. While specific contractor names are not available, Rice maintains a broad network of vendors specializing in medical device manufacturing, diagnostic reagents, and laboratory instrumentation. His contracting patterns reflect a preference for established industry suppliers with proven technical capabilities, particularly those capable of meeting stringent regulatory and quality control standards. He engages with both large manufacturers and small businesses, fostering partnerships grounded in performance reliability and regulatory compliance. Rice demonstrates a strong orientation toward open competition, with 90.9% of his acquisitions conducted without set-asides, reflecting a focus on maximizing value and technical suitability. However, he consistently allocates 9.1% of his portfolio to Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5, indicating a deliberate and compliant commitment to small business participation without favoring specific socioeconomic categories like 8(a), HUBZone, or SDVOSB. His primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 339112 (Surgical and Medical Instrument Manufacturing), 325413 (In-Vitro Diagnostic Substance Manufacturing), 334516 (Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing), and 511210 (Software Publishers), underscoring his expertise in life sciences and laboratory technology domains. He procures a range of high-complexity goods including diagnostic kits, analytical sensors, and precision medical devices, requiring deep familiarity with FDA regulatory frameworks and ISO quality standards.