Zakia X. Askari

Zakia X. Askari serves as a Procurement Supervisor responsible for overseeing the acquisition of essential support services to ensure operational efficiency across federal operations. In this role, she manages the full lifecycle of procurement activities—from market research and solicitation development to contract award and performance monitoring—ensuring compliance with federal acquisition regulations and agency mission objectives. Her portfolio primarily centers on facility support services, with a strong emphasis on maintaining high standards of cleanliness, grounds maintenance, and ancillary operational functions. She works closely with program managers and financial officers to align contracting strategies with organizational priorities and budgetary constraints. While specific contractor names are not available, Askari cultivates relationships with a diverse pool of vendors specializing in facility services, including both large service providers and small business concerns. Her procurement approach emphasizes competitive bidding, clear performance metrics, and consistent vendor evaluation to ensure quality and accountability. She fosters transparent, long-term partnerships with contractors who demonstrate reliability, regulatory compliance, and a commitment to service excellence. Askari’s contracting patterns reflect a strong preference for open competition, with 85.7% of awards issued under non-set-aside conditions. However, she actively supports socioeconomic objectives by allocating 14.3% of acquisitions to Local Area Set-Asides under FAR 26.2, prioritizing businesses located within the geographic region of performance to stimulate local economic development. This targeted approach underscores her commitment to balancing efficiency with community-based economic inclusion. Her primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 561720 (Janitorial Services) and 561730 (Landscaping Services), reflecting her expertise in facility maintenance and environmental services. She also routinely procures related support services, including language instruction and historical site management, demonstrating a nuanced understanding of specialized operational needs. Her technical domain expertise centers on service-based contracting, performance-based acquisition methods, and the integration of quality assurance surveillance plans to ensure contractor deliverables meet established standards.