Sterai C Payne

Sterai C. Payne serves as Supervisory Contracting Officer for Federal Prison Industries (Unicor), a U.S. Department of Justice component dedicated to providing vocational training and meaningful employment to incarcerated individuals through the production of goods and services for federal agencies. In this role, Payne oversees the full lifecycle of complex acquisitions, ensuring compliance with federal procurement regulations while advancing Unicor’s mission of rehabilitation through industry. Their portfolio primarily includes procurement of manufactured goods, logistics services, and management consulting solutions, with a strong emphasis on aligning contracting decisions with operational needs and institutional goals. Payne maintains longstanding relationships with a select group of mission-aligned contractors, including Veterans Range Solutions, LLC, Krueger International, Inc., Veterans Environmental Group, LLC, Blind Industries and Services of Maryland, and Nightingale Corp. These partnerships reflect a preference for vendors with demonstrated experience in government manufacturing, environmental services, and workforce development programs, particularly those supporting veteran and disabled populations. The working relationships are characterized by collaboration, performance accountability, and alignment with Unicor’s rehabilitative objectives. While the majority of acquisitions are conducted without set-asides (75%), Payne consistently facilitates 25% of awards under Total Small Business Set-Aside authorities per FAR 19.5, demonstrating a deliberate commitment to expanding opportunities for small businesses. Though specific socioeconomic categories like 8(a), HUBZone, or SDVOSB are not dominant, the agency’s reliance on small business contractors reflects an underlying emphasis on economic inclusion and capacity building within the federal supply base. Payne’s procurement focus centers on NAICS 541614 (Process, Physical Distribution, and Logistics Consulting Services), with significant activity in administrative and marketing consulting services (541611, 541613, 541618), alongside manufacturing of current-carrying wiring devices (335931). This technical specialization underscores expertise in both service-based procurement and industrial production, supporting Unicor’s dual role as a manufacturer and service provider within the federal marketplace.