Susan J. Smith

Susan J. Smith serves as a Contracting Officer within the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Office of Procurement, where she manages the acquisition of critical technical and scientific services to support national security and criminal investigations. Her portfolio centers on modernizing forensic laboratory capabilities, enhancing digital intelligence tools, and securing evidence analysis systems. She specializes in complex, high-stakes procurements under FAR Part 15, frequently executing negotiated contracts for IT modernization, cybersecurity infrastructure, and advanced analytical instrumentation. Smith ensures compliance with federal procurement regulations while aligning acquisitions with the FBI’s strategic priorities in forensic science and cyber-enabled investigations. Her primary contractor relationships are anchored by long-standing partnerships with VISTA OUTDOOR SALES LLC and SOUTHERN POLICE EQUIPMENT COMPANY, INC., both of which provide specialized equipment and technical support for investigative operations. While these firms dominate her award activity, she also engages a broader ecosystem of niche vendors delivering niche hardware and software solutions. Her procurement approach emphasizes performance-based contracting, technical evaluation panels, and risk-mitigated source selection processes, fostering reliable, mission-critical supplier relationships grounded in quality and compliance. Smith’s contracting patterns reflect a strong preference for open competition, with 80.8% of her awards issued without set-aside restrictions. Nevertheless, she maintains a robust commitment to small business participation, consistently awarding nearly 19.1% of her contracts under Total Small Business Set-Asides per FAR 19.5, prioritizing qualified small businesses capable of delivering specialized technical services. Her socioeconomic strategy balances mission necessity with statutory obligations, ensuring equitable access without compromising operational readiness. Her primary NAICS focus is on Computer Systems Design Services (541512), reflecting her deep involvement in procuring custom software development, data integration platforms, and forensic analytics systems. She also regularly acquires electronic computer manufacturing (334111) and satellite telecommunications (517410) services to support field operations and secure communications. Her expertise lies at the intersection of technical innovation and regulatory compliance, ensuring the FBI’s investigative tools remain cutting-edge, secure, and legally defensible.