Susan Paek

Susan Paek serves as a Contract Specialist at the Drug Enforcement Administration Headquarters (15DDHQ), where she plays a pivotal role in executing mission-critical acquisitions that support federal drug enforcement operations. Her responsibilities include managing the full lifecycle of contracts for advanced surveillance, secure communications, and forensic analytical technologies essential to intelligence gathering and lawful intercept capabilities. Paek ensures compliance with federal acquisition regulations while aligning procurements with DEA’s strategic priorities in modernizing operational infrastructure, enhancing digital forensics, and deploying specialized equipment for field investigations. She routinely handles complex, high-stakes acquisitions involving technical services, cybersecurity-enabled hardware, and mission-specific software solutions. Paek maintains consistent working relationships with key contractors including OCTASIC US INC., OBSIDIAN INTEGRATION, LLC, CAYMAN CHEMICAL CO INC, FOCUS CAMERA LLC, and SECURITY PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL, LLC. These partnerships reflect a focus on vendors capable of delivering specialized surveillance systems, secure communications platforms, chemical analysis tools, and forensic imaging equipment. Her contracting approach emphasizes technical rigor, vendor reliability, and performance-based outcomes, fostering long-term collaborations with firms that demonstrate deep domain expertise in law enforcement technology and intelligence support services. Her contracting portfolio reflects a strong preference for open competition, with 88.9% of awards issued without set-aside designations, indicating a focus on capability-driven sourcing rather than socioeconomic preferences. However, she consistently supports small business participation through Total Small Business Set-Asides, demonstrating a balanced commitment to both mission effectiveness and broad vendor access under FAR 19.5. Paek’s primary NAICS focus areas include 721110 (hotels and motels) for operational lodging support and 541519 (other computer-related services) for IT infrastructure, data analytics, and mission-critical software development. She also procures specialized communications equipment under 334290 and forensic tools aligned with DEA’s investigative needs, underscoring her technical expertise in integrating commercial technologies into law enforcement operations.