Vanessa Russell-Reed

Vanessa Russell-Reed serves as a Contracting Officer responsible for managing the full lifecycle of federal acquisitions, ensuring compliance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation and promoting efficient, transparent procurement practices. She oversees competitive solicitations across a diverse range of technical and construction-related services, with a strong emphasis on small business participation and socioeconomic program objectives. Her role is central to fulfilling the agency’s mission of acquiring critical goods and services in alignment with statutory requirements and strategic procurement goals, particularly in sectors requiring specialized regulatory oversight and technical expertise. Vanessa cultivates collaborative relationships with a broad spectrum of vendors, including small businesses certified under multiple socioeconomic programs, as well as established contractors in construction and medical manufacturing. Her contracting patterns reflect a preference for competed set-asides that foster market competition while ensuring equitable access for underserved small business concerns. She engages with vendors through structured solicitation processes, including RFQs and RFPs, and consistently prioritizes clear evaluation criteria, performance-based outcomes, and post-award accountability to maintain contract integrity. A strong advocate for small business inclusion, Vanessa routinely deploys set-aside authorities under FAR Part 19, with nearly half of her acquisitions reserved for small businesses overall. She frequently utilizes 8(a) competed set-asides and actively supports HUBZone and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) participation, reflecting a deliberate strategy to broaden the supplier base and promote economic opportunity. Her procurement approach is guided by a commitment to equitable access and regulatory compliance, ensuring that socioeconomic goals are meaningfully integrated into every acquisition. Her primary technical focus lies in NAICS 339113 (Surgical Appliance and Supplies Manufacturing), with significant activity in construction-related sectors including painting and wall covering (238320) and highway, street, and bridge construction (237310). She regularly procures specialized medical devices, infrastructure materials, and related construction services, demonstrating deep familiarity with technical specifications, performance standards, and quality assurance protocols in these domains.