Sylvia E. Reid

Sylvia K. Reid serves as a Contracting Officer within the Contracts and Acquisitions Management unit of the U.S. Department of Education, where she oversees the procurement of professional services critical to advancing federal education policy, research, and institutional capacity. Her portfolio centers on strategic acquisitions that support evidence-based decision-making, regulatory compliance, and the modernization of federal student aid and data infrastructure. She manages complex contract actions under FAR Part 12 and Part 37, primarily securing expert consulting, research, and technical services to enhance the operational integrity of national education systems. Reid maintains a consistent working relationship with LPE-STRATEGIES LLC, a key contractor providing specialized analytical and policy support services. Her procurement patterns reflect a preference for established, high-capacity vendors with demonstrated expertise in education research and data systems, while also fostering collaborative, performance-based partnerships that emphasize deliverables aligned with statutory and programmatic objectives. Her contracting approach prioritizes open competition, with 73.3% of awards issued without set-asides, reflecting a focus on technical merit and capability over socioeconomic preferences. Nevertheless, she actively supports small business participation, with 26.7% of awards designated as total small business set-asides under FAR 19.5, demonstrating a balanced commitment to both competition and socioeconomic goals. Reid’s primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 541720 (Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities), reflecting her deep engagement with studies on postsecondary education outcomes, equity, and policy evaluation. She also regularly procures educational support services (NAICS 611710), management consulting (NAICS 541611), and custom software development (NAICS 541511), underscoring her technical expertise in data-driven education systems, institutional capacity building, and digital infrastructure modernization.