Steve Madsen

Steve Madsen serves as a Contract Specialist within the Contracts and Acquisitions Management unit of the U.S. Department of Education, where he plays a pivotal role in executing strategic procurements that advance federal education policy and institutional capacity. He manages the full lifecycle of professional services contracts, ensuring alignment with federal acquisition regulations and agency priorities in postsecondary education, data systems, and regulatory compliance. His portfolio primarily includes complex, performance-based acquisitions for consulting, research, and educational support services, with a strong emphasis on evidence-based solutions that strengthen federal student aid infrastructure and data collection frameworks. Madsen maintains a consistent working relationship with LPE-STRATEGIES LLC, a key contractor providing administrative management and policy analysis services. His procurement approach emphasizes collaborative vendor partnerships grounded in transparency, performance metrics, and compliance with federal standards. He frequently engages with firms capable of delivering high-quality, mission-critical support in education research and systems modernization, fostering long-term vendor relationships built on accountability and measurable outcomes. His contracting patterns reflect a strong commitment to small business participation, with nearly half of his awards structured as Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5. While the majority of acquisitions remain open to all competitors, his consistent use of small business set-asides demonstrates a deliberate effort to expand opportunities for qualified small businesses in the education services sector, aligning with broader federal socioeconomic goals. Madsen’s primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 541611 (Administrative Management Consulting) and 541720 (Research in Social Sciences and Humanities), reflecting his specialization in policy analysis, program evaluation, and educational research services. He also regularly procures educational support services (611710), custom computer programming (541511), and marketing consulting (541613), underscoring his technical expertise in supporting data-driven decision-making, institutional capacity building, and digital modernization within the federal education ecosystem.