Susan M. Ethridge

Susan M. Ethridge serves as a Contracting Officer responsible for managing complex acquisitions across critical infrastructure and specialized electrical systems. She plays a pivotal role in executing the agency’s procurement mission by ensuring compliance with federal acquisition regulations while promoting competition and socioeconomic goals. Her portfolio primarily encompasses construction of power and communication line systems, as well as the procurement of precision electrical instrumentation and power distribution equipment. Ethridge oversees full lifecycle contract actions—from solicitation and source selection to award and administration—ensuring alignment with statutory requirements and mission-critical operational needs. While specific contractor names are not available, Ethridge consistently engages with a diverse ecosystem of vendors, including small businesses, specialty manufacturers, and construction firms with expertise in utility-scale infrastructure. Her contracting patterns reflect a preference for competitive sealed bidding and negotiated acquisitions under FAR Part 15, with a strong emphasis on technical evaluation and past performance. She cultivates collaborative relationships with vendors capable of delivering high-reliability electrical systems and compliance with industry standards such as ANSI and NESC. Ethridge demonstrates a pronounced commitment to small business participation, with over 57% of her awards designated as total small business set-asides under FAR 19.5. An additional 7.8% of her contracts are reserved for SBA-certified Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Businesses and HUBZone firms, reflecting a deliberate strategy to advance socioeconomic equity in federal contracting. Her approach consistently prioritizes inclusion of certified small disadvantaged, women-owned, and HUBZone entities in high-impact procurements. Her technical focus centers on NAICS 237130 for power and communication line construction, alongside specialized manufacturing in electrical instrumentation (334515) and power transformers (335311). She routinely procures mission-critical equipment for grid modernization, signal monitoring systems, and hazardous waste handling infrastructure, demonstrating deep familiarity with technical specifications, testing protocols, and supply chain resilience requirements in the energy and utility sectors.