Travis Heller

Travis Heller serves as a Contract Specialist within the Agricultural Research Service’s Agricultural Research Facility Management and Procurement Division (USDA ARS AFM APD), where he plays a pivotal role in securing mission-critical instrumentation and specialized research services that underpin national agricultural science initiatives. He manages the full lifecycle of complex procurements for high-precision laboratory equipment, analytical instrumentation, and technical support services essential to food security and sustainable farming research. His acquisitions span advanced analytical systems, facility maintenance contracts, and customized research solutions, ensuring alignment with federal procurement regulations and scientific operational requirements. Travis maintains consistent working relationships with a select group of specialized vendors, including GermFree Laboratories, LLC for biosafety and cleanroom systems, Georgia Commercial and Residential Elevator, LLC for facility infrastructure support, and J’S Associates, LLC for technical consulting. His contractor engagements reflect a preference for niche providers with deep expertise in laboratory automation, environmental control systems, and research service delivery, often requiring rigorous technical evaluation and compliance with federal lab standards. His procurement patterns demonstrate a strong emphasis on open competition, with 78.9% of awards issued without set-asides. Nevertheless, he actively supports small business participation, allocating nearly 20% of contracts to Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5 and a modest but intentional portion to Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses, reflecting a balanced commitment to socioeconomic goals without compromising technical rigor. Travis’s primary NAICS focus areas include 334516 for analytical laboratory instrument manufacturing and 541511 for custom computer programming services, underscoring his expertise in procuring cutting-edge scientific hardware and integrated data systems. He frequently sources specialized services in environmental monitoring, laboratory compliance, and bioinformatics infrastructure, demonstrating deep domain knowledge in agricultural research technology and laboratory facility management.