Tabitha D Lorthridge

Tabitha Lorthridge supports the Federal Highway Administration’s 693JJ3 Acquisition and Grants Management unit in executing strategic procurements that advance the safety, resilience, and innovation of the nation’s transportation infrastructure. She manages a diverse portfolio of service-based acquisitions focused on engineering consulting, transportation research, and data-driven operational support, ensuring alignment with FHWA’s mission to modernize highway systems through evidence-based solutions. Her work spans the full lifecycle of contract actions—from market research and solicitation development to award and performance oversight—enabling the agency to secure high-quality technical expertise critical to infrastructure planning and policy development. Lorthridge maintains consistent partnerships with key vendors including K & M Transportation Services LLC and the University of California, Los Angeles, reflecting a balanced approach between specialized small firms and leading academic research institutions. Her contracting patterns emphasize long-term, performance-based engagements that leverage subject-matter expertise in transportation systems, data analytics, and operational consulting. These relationships are characterized by collaborative, mission-aligned procurement strategies that prioritize technical excellence and institutional knowledge transfer. Her procurement approach prioritizes open competition, with 81.3% of awards issued without set-aside restrictions, while still maintaining a meaningful commitment to socioeconomic programs—12.5% of awards are competed under the 8(a) program, and 6.3% are designated as total small business set-asides under FAR 19.5. This reflects a deliberate balance between broad market access and targeted support for disadvantaged businesses, consistent with federal socioeconomic objectives. Lorthridge’s primary procurement focus lies in NAICS categories 611430 (professional and management development training), 541519 (other computer-related services), and 541611 (administrative management consulting), with significant activity in 541690 (scientific and technical consulting). She routinely acquires services related to transportation modeling, data analytics, workforce development, and systems integration, demonstrating deep expertise in supporting FHWA’s research and operational modernization goals through technically rigorous, outcomes-driven contracting.