Valerie Pickard

Valerie Pickard serves as a primary procurement lead within the DOL’s Cas Division 2 Procurement, supporting the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration and Management in advancing workforce development and administrative capacity through strategic acquisitions. She manages a diverse portfolio of contracts aligned with the Department of Labor’s mission to expand registered apprenticeships, enhance vocational rehabilitation services, and strengthen data-driven program evaluation. Her acquisitions typically encompass management consulting, training system development, and technology-enabled service delivery, with a focus on ensuring equitable access to employment opportunities through targeted procurement strategies. She plays a central role in aligning contracting decisions with federal labor program priorities and regulatory compliance under FAR and OMB guidance. While specific contractor names are not currently available in the procurement record, Pickard engages with a broad spectrum of vendors delivering administrative, technical, and workforce training solutions. Her working relationships include general management consultants, IT service providers, and specialized training organizations, often requiring compliance with federal labor standards and performance-based contracting frameworks. She prioritizes vendors capable of integrating performance metrics, data analytics, and outcome-based reporting into service delivery, fostering long-term partnerships that support program scalability and accountability. Pickard’s contracting patterns reflect a strong preference for open competition, with 89.2% of awards issued without set-asides. However, she consistently supports small business participation, allocating 8.1% of awards to Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5 and 2.7% to Women-Owned Small Businesses. Her approach demonstrates a balanced commitment to maximizing competition while advancing socioeconomic goals, with minimal use of 8(a), HUBZone, or SDVOSB set-asides, indicating a focus on broad market engagement rather than targeted socioeconomic programs. Her primary NAICS focus areas include Apprenticeship Training (611513), Administrative Management Consulting (541611), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (624310), and Other Computer-Related Services (541519), reflecting deep expertise in workforce development systems, operational efficiency tools, and digital service platforms. She procures solutions that integrate training curricula, case management software, and performance tracking tools to support federal labor program modernization and data-informed decision-making.