Valerie Leonova

Valerie Leonova serves as a key procurement lead within the Detention Compliance and Removals unit of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, overseeing the acquisition of mission-critical services that support the safe, secure, and compliant detention and removal of individuals under immigration enforcement. Her responsibilities include managing the full lifecycle of contracts related to facility operations, personnel security, detainee care, and logistical support, ensuring alignment with DHS regulatory standards and operational efficiency goals. She routinely handles performance-based service contracts, task orders under GSA schedules, and indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity instruments to meet dynamic field requirements. Leonova maintains established relationships with core contractors including B.I. Incorporated, Acentra Health LLC, and Ardent Group, LLC, which provide specialized services ranging from medical and behavioral health support to detention facility management and security operations. Her contracting approach emphasizes vendor reliability, compliance with federal detention standards, and performance accountability, fostering long-term partnerships with firms capable of scaling services across multiple detention sites while maintaining strict operational integrity. Her procurement strategy reflects a strong preference for open competition, with 80% of awards issued without set-aside designations; however, she consistently allocates 20% of opportunities to Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5, demonstrating a deliberate commitment to expanding small business participation without compromising mission readiness or service quality. Leonova’s primary NAICS focus areas include 561612 (Security Guards and Patrol Services), 238320 (Painting and Wall Covering Contractors), 339999 (All Other Miscellaneous Manufacturing), and 813110 (Religious Organizations), reflecting a diverse portfolio that spans physical infrastructure maintenance, non-medical detainee support services, and specialized manufacturing for detention equipment. This unique mix underscores her expertise in procuring both traditional facility services and unconventional, mission-adjacent solutions that enhance operational compliance and detainee welfare.