Thomas Vandell

Thomas Vandell serves as the primary procurement lead for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Office of Acquisition, overseeing the planning, solicitation, and award of contracts that advance vehicle safety technologies and behavioral research initiatives. He plays a central role in executing the agency’s mission to reduce traffic-related fatalities through evidence-based policy and engineering solutions, managing a diverse portfolio of research, testing, and communication services. His acquisitions primarily support data-driven regulatory development, public safety campaigns, and technical evaluations of emerging automotive safety systems, aligning closely with NHTSA’s strategic priorities in vehicle innovation and consumer protection. Vandell maintains consistent contracting relationships with specialized firms including AMD International Technologies LLC, Aerospace & Commercial Technologies, LLC, and the National Association of ESEA State Program Administrators, reflecting a preference for niche providers with expertise in safety research, technical testing, and public outreach. His procurement patterns indicate a reliance on contractors capable of delivering high-integrity behavioral analysis, engineering evaluations, and targeted public communication services, often requiring compliance with federal safety standards and rigorous data validation protocols. A strong advocate for socioeconomic diversity in contracting, Vandell prioritizes small business participation, with approximately half of his acquisitions structured as total small business set-asides under FAR 19.5. He also regularly utilizes 8(a) competed contracts, demonstrating a deliberate strategy to foster growth among certified disadvantaged businesses while maintaining competitive rigor across the acquisition lifecycle. His procurement focus is concentrated in NAICS 541720 (Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities), reflecting deep engagement with behavioral studies, public perception analysis, and policy impact assessments. He also routinely procures testing laboratory services (541380), document preparation (541410), and advertising campaigns (541810) to support the dissemination and validation of safety initiatives, underscoring his expertise in integrating social science research with technical and communication services to inform national transportation safety policy.