Thomas J. Chouinard

Thomas J. Chouinard serves as a Contracting Officer within the Procurement Directorate Contracting Division of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, where he plays a pivotal role in securing mission-critical resources to support border security operations and canine enforcement programs. He manages the full lifecycle of acquisitions for specialized equipment, services, and animal production resources essential to sustaining the Border Patrol’s K9 detection capabilities and facility security infrastructure. His portfolio emphasizes technical procurement under FAR Part 13 and Part 15, with a focus on ensuring operational readiness through timely, compliant, and cost-effective contracting solutions aligned with DHS strategic priorities. Chouinard cultivates strong partnerships with a diverse ecosystem of vendors, primarily small businesses certified under socioeconomic programs, including 8(a), HUBZone, and SDVOSB concerns. While no single contractor dominates his portfolio, his contracting patterns reflect a deliberate emphasis on building long-term vendor relationships with firms possessing niche expertise in animal handling, detection system maintenance, and technical support services. He actively engages in pre-solicitation outreach and market research to identify capable small business contractors capable of meeting the unique demands of federal canine and detection operations. His procurement strategy is overwhelmingly focused on small business set-asides, with 95.7% of his awards designated for small business participation under FAR 19.5. This reflects a deep institutional commitment to socioeconomic goals, ensuring that contracting opportunities directly benefit disadvantaged and underserved entrepreneurs while maintaining high standards of performance and accountability. He consistently prioritizes small business eligibility verification and compliance with all applicable socioeconomic regulations. Chouinard’s primary technical focus lies in NAICS 112990 (All Other Animal Production), reflecting his leadership in procuring canine training, handling, and support services critical to detection missions. He also manages limited acquisitions in data infrastructure (518210) and technical consulting (541690) to support analytical and operational systems. His expertise spans the intersection of biological logistics, law enforcement equipment, and mission-critical service delivery within a high-stakes federal environment.