Steven Santos

Steven Santos serves as a Contracting Officer within the Contracting and Procurement office of the Transportation Security Administration under the Department of Homeland Security, where he plays a pivotal role in securing critical technologies that enhance national transportation security. He manages the full lifecycle of acquisitions for advanced detection systems, cybersecurity services, and operational support solutions, with a primary focus on aerospace and rail security infrastructure. His portfolio includes complex procurements for explosive detection equipment, irradiation systems, and GPS-enabled rail monitoring technologies, ensuring compliance with federal acquisition regulations and mission-critical performance standards. While specific contractor names are not disclosed, Santos maintains a robust network of vendors specializing in high-precision sensing, cybersecurity, and engineering services. He routinely engages with both large prime contractors and specialized small businesses capable of delivering technically sophisticated, mission-essential solutions under tight security and compliance constraints. His contracting approach emphasizes performance-based outcomes, risk mitigation, and technical validation, fostering long-term partnerships with firms that demonstrate proven capability in aviation and transit security domains. Santos exhibits a strong preference for open competition, with 88.9% of his acquisitions conducted without set-asides, reflecting a focus on broad market competition for high-complexity requirements. However, he actively supports socioeconomic goals by allocating 11.1% of his portfolio to SBA Certified Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Businesses (EDWOSB), demonstrating a deliberate, targeted commitment to diversity in the supplier base without compromising mission readiness. His primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 334511, encompassing the manufacture of detection and navigation systems, alongside significant activity in engineering services (541330), custom computer programming (541511), and other professional technical services (541990). This reflects deep expertise in acquiring integrated hardware-software systems for security applications, particularly those requiring ruggedized design, real-time data processing, and interoperability with federal security networks.