Susan McKean

Susan McKean serves as a Purchasing Agent for the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), where she plays a critical role in acquiring precision measurement instruments, analytical equipment, and specialized technical services that support the agency’s mission of advancing scientific metrology and industrial innovation. She manages a diverse portfolio of acquisitions aligned with NIST’s core focus areas, including semiconductor process validation, advanced manufacturing diagnostics, and calibration standards development. Her procurement activities are grounded in compliance with federal acquisition regulations and prioritize technical rigor, supply chain reliability, and alignment with national priorities in science and technology. McKean maintains consistent working relationships with specialized vendors including Quality Biological, Inc., ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES AND LABORATORIES (ATL) INTERNATIONAL, INC., and PHYSICAL ELECTRONICS USA, INC.—organizations known for delivering high-precision analytical instruments, laboratory systems, and calibration-grade materials. Her contracting patterns reflect a preference for established technical partners with demonstrated expertise in scientific instrumentation and metrology, fostering long-term vendor collaboration to ensure equipment interoperability and compliance with NIST’s stringent performance benchmarks. While the majority of her acquisitions are conducted as open competition (70.9%), she actively supports small business participation, with nearly 30% of awards designated as Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5. Her procurement strategy reflects a deliberate commitment to expanding access for small businesses capable of meeting NIST’s technical demands, particularly those with expertise in specialized manufacturing and laboratory services. Her primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 334515 (Instrument Manufacturing for Measuring and Testing Electricity and Electrical Signals) and 334516 (Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing), reflecting her deep engagement with scientific equipment for spectroscopy, electrical calibration, and materials characterization. She routinely procures mass spectrometers, signal analyzers, environmental test chambers, and semiconductor process monitoring systems—tools essential to NIST’s leadership in measurement science and technological standards development.