Zilphia E. Wright

Zilphia E. Wright serves as a Contracting Officer within the Contracts and Acquisitions Management unit of the U.S. Department of Education, where she oversees the procurement of professional services critical to advancing federal education policy, research, and institutional capacity. Her portfolio centers on acquiring technical and analytical support for national student aid systems, regulatory compliance infrastructure, and data collection modernization initiatives. She manages full and open competitions as well as small business set-asides under FAR Part 19, ensuring alignment with the agency’s mission to strengthen evidence-based decision-making in postsecondary education through strategic sourcing of expert services. Ms. Wright maintains a consistent working relationship with LPE-STRATEGIES LLC, a key vendor providing specialized consulting and systems support. Her contracting patterns reflect a preference for long-term, performance-based partnerships with firms capable of delivering integrated solutions in education technology and policy analysis. She engages primarily with vendors offering customized software development, administrative management consulting, and research services, fostering collaborative relationships grounded in compliance, transparency, and measurable outcomes. Her procurement strategy prioritizes full and open competition, with 80% of awards issued without set-aside designations, while maintaining a deliberate 20% commitment to Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5. This balanced approach reflects a strong dedication to broad market access and equitable opportunity, with no reliance on 8(a), HUBZone, or SDVOSB programs, but consistent support for small businesses across all socioeconomic categories through simplified acquisition procedures and clear solicitation criteria. Ms. Wright’s primary NAICS focus areas include Custom Computer Programming Services, Computing Infrastructure Providers, Administrative Management Consulting, Research in Social Sciences and Humanities, and Educational Support Services. She specializes in procuring technology-enabled solutions that enhance data interoperability, support federal student aid operations, and deliver analytical services to inform national education strategy, demonstrating deep domain expertise in the intersection of education policy and information systems.