Will Zbaeren

Will Zbaeren serves as Lead Contract Specialist and Contracting Officer at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), where he manages complex procurement actions supporting the agency’s mission to advance measurement science, standards, and technological innovation. He oversees the full lifecycle of acquisitions—from market research and solicitation development to contract award and administration—primarily for technical services, facility-related construction, and specialized equipment maintenance critical to NIST’s research infrastructure. His work directly enables precision in semiconductor characterization, advanced manufacturing, and scientific instrumentation development, aligning procurement strategy with national priorities in economic resilience and technological leadership. Zbaeren maintains consistent relationships with a diverse set of contractors, including Quality Biological, Inc., ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES AND LABORATORIES (ATL) INTERNATIONAL, INC., and PHYSICAL ELECTRONICS USA, INC., reflecting his focus on high-precision scientific and technical service providers. He frequently engages vendors with expertise in commercial and industrial equipment repair, laboratory support services, and facility construction, fostering long-term partnerships grounded in technical compliance and performance accountability. His contracting approach emphasizes vendor capability validation and adherence to NIST’s stringent quality and safety standards. His procurement portfolio reflects a balanced commitment to socioeconomic programs, with 10% of awards designated for Women-Owned Small Businesses, 10% for Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses, and 10% for Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5. While the majority of contracts (70%) are unrestricted, Zbaeren actively promotes small business participation through targeted outreach and tailored solicitation language that encourages competitive bidding from certified small entities. His primary NAICS focus areas include Commercial and Institutional Building Construction (236220), Human Resources Consulting Services (541612), and Commercial and Industrial Machinery Repair and Maintenance (811310), with additional emphasis on Engineering Services (541330) and Other Scientific and Technical Consulting (541690). He specializes in procuring mission-critical services that support NIST’s laboratories, calibration facilities, and workforce development initiatives, ensuring alignment with federal standards and technical excellence.