Valrica Manns

Valrica Manns supports the FDA Office of Acquisition and Grant Services in executing strategic procurement actions that advance the agency’s mission to safeguard public health through robust scientific infrastructure and regulatory science capabilities. Though her official title is not listed, her procurement activities center on acquiring critical research and analytical services essential to FDA’s regulatory decision-making, particularly in software-driven scientific environments. She manages a diverse portfolio of contracts supporting laboratory operations, data analytics, and technical consulting services, ensuring alignment with federal acquisition regulations and the FDA’s scientific priorities. Manns maintains consistent working relationships with specialized contractors including Tranquil Clinical and Research Consulting Services LLC, Toxicologic Pathology Associates Inc., and Progenics Pharmaceuticals Inc., reflecting a focus on niche scientific and clinical support providers. Her contracting patterns indicate a preference for vendors with deep expertise in regulatory-compliant research services, toxicology, and pharmaceutical analysis, suggesting close collaboration with firms that deliver high-precision, compliance-sensitive deliverables under strict federal oversight. Her procurement strategy reflects a balanced approach to socioeconomic contracting, with equal distribution between total small business set-asides and open competitions, demonstrating a deliberate commitment to fostering small business participation without compromising access to specialized capabilities. This pattern underscores a strategic emphasis on leveraging the agility and innovation of small businesses while maintaining flexibility to meet urgent scientific needs. Manns’ acquisition focus is heavily concentrated in NAICS 513210 (Software Publishers) and 541519 (Other Computer Related Services), indicating primary procurement of custom software solutions, data management platforms, and analytical tools supporting regulatory science. Her work consistently involves procuring informatics systems, laboratory information management systems (LIMS), and computational tools critical to drug evaluation, safety monitoring, and biomedical research—positioning her at the intersection of regulatory compliance and cutting-edge scientific technology.