Susan M Nichols

Susan M. Nichols serves as Administrator/Buyer for FA3030 17 Cons Cc within the Department of the Air Force, where she manages mission-critical facility infrastructure acquisitions to sustain operational readiness and support quality-of-life initiatives at Air Force installations. Her procurement portfolio centers on construction, maintenance, and modernization of critical building systems—including HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and structural components—ensuring compliance with federal facility standards and readiness requirements. She handles a mix of firm-fixed-price and cost-reimbursement contracts under FAR Part 36, primarily for construction and specialty trade services, often executed through competitive sealed bidding and negotiated procurements. Nichols maintains consistent working relationships with a core group of experienced contractors, including MCKENZIE CONSTRUCTION & SITE DEVELOPMENT LLC, IMPERIAL ELECTRICAL CONTRACTING, LLC, DUNCAN MECHANICAL SERVICE, INC, and ACTION CONSTRUCTION AUSTIN LLC. These partnerships reflect a preference for vendors with proven expertise in military-grade facility upgrades, industrial maintenance, and rapid-response repair services. Her contracting approach emphasizes performance-based outcomes, stringent quality control, and contractor accountability under technical specifications aligned with UFC and AFMAN standards. Her procurement patterns show a strong preference for open competition, with 83.3% of awards issued without set-asides, reflecting a focus on mission urgency and technical capability over socioeconomic preferences. However, she maintains a balanced commitment to small business participation, with equal allocations to 8(a) competed and total small business set-asides under FAR 19.5, demonstrating compliance with statutory goals while prioritizing mission needs. Nichols’ primary NAICS focus includes 238210 (electrical contracting), 238320 (painting and wall covering), and 237310 (highway and bridge construction), underscoring her technical expertise in facility infrastructure modernization. She routinely procures services involving electrical system upgrades, interior finishes, site grading, and institutional building construction, requiring deep familiarity with DoD facility codes, sustainability requirements, and defense-specific construction protocols.