Theodore Blume

Theodore Blume serves as the primary procurement lead for the USDA Agricultural Research Service’s Agricultural Research Facility Management and Procurement Division, where he oversees the acquisition of mission-critical laboratory instrumentation, precision environmental control systems, and specialized facility infrastructure to support high-throughput agricultural research. His role is central to enabling scientific innovation in food security and sustainable farming by ensuring timely access to advanced analytical equipment and compliant, performance-driven services. Blume manages a diverse portfolio of contracts spanning laboratory construction, equipment maintenance, and technical support services, with a strong emphasis on technical specifications aligned with federal research standards. He maintains strategic relationships with a select group of specialized vendors, including Germfree Laboratories, LLC for biosafety cabinet installations, Gold Wave Inc. for precision environmental monitoring systems, and J’s Associates, LLC for facility modernization services. His contracting patterns reflect a preference for vendors with proven expertise in controlled-environment construction and analytical instrument integration, fostering long-term partnerships built on technical reliability and regulatory compliance. Blume demonstrates a robust commitment to small business participation, with 82.8% of his acquisitions structured as total small business set-asides under FAR 19.5. He consistently prioritizes contracting opportunities for small disadvantaged businesses, HUBZone firms, and other socioeconomic categories, aligning procurement decisions with federal goals to expand equitable access to federal research funding. His primary NAICS focus areas include analytical laboratory instrument manufacturing, commercial building construction for research facilities, and plumbing and HVAC systems tailored to biosafety requirements. He specializes in procuring equipment and services that support controlled-environment research, including mass spectrometry infrastructure, cleanroom construction, and agricultural sensor integration, reflecting deep technical fluency in the intersection of facility engineering and life sciences research.