Susan Ruzicka

Susan Ruzicka serves as a key procurement professional within the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), supporting the agency’s mission to advance measurement science, standards, and technological innovation critical to U.S. industrial competitiveness and national security. She manages a diverse portfolio of acquisitions focused on high-precision analytical instrumentation, laboratory equipment, and technical consulting services essential to NIST’s research and development programs. Her work ensures the agency maintains cutting-edge capabilities in semiconductor characterization, advanced manufacturing, and biological standards development, aligning procurement strategy with NIST’s scientific priorities and operational needs. Ruzicka maintains consistent partnerships with specialized vendors including Quality Biological, Inc., ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES AND LABORATORIES (ATL) INTERNATIONAL, INC., and PHYSICAL ELECTRONICS USA, INC., all of which provide high-specification laboratory instruments, calibration services, and scientific support systems. Her contracting patterns reflect a preference for established technical suppliers with proven expertise in precision instrumentation and compliance with federal laboratory standards, fostering long-term vendor relationships built on technical reliability and regulatory adherence. Her procurement approach prioritizes open competition, with 84.3% of awards issued without set-asides, reflecting the highly technical nature of NIST’s requirements. However, she actively supports small business participation, allocating 15.7% of awards to total small business set-asides under FAR 19.5, demonstrating a balanced commitment to both mission-critical capability and socioeconomic goals. Ruzicka’s primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 334516 (Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing), which accounts for over half of her portfolio, alongside significant activity in scientific consulting (541690) and biological product manufacturing (325414). She regularly acquires mass spectrometers, electron microscopes, reference materials, and custom calibration systems—tools foundational to NIST’s role as the nation’s premier standards laboratory. Her expertise spans the intersection of metrology, laboratory science, and federal acquisition policy.