NIH makes leadership adjustments at technology acquisition center

Mary Armstead, program director for the National Institutes of Health Information Technology Acquisition and Assessment Center (NITAAC), has been appointed acting associate director of NIH’s Office of Logistics and Acquisition Policy Management, agency officials said Sept. 11.

Robert Coen, current deputy director of NITAAC, has been tapped as its acting director.

In her new role, Armstead will oversee three divisions: acquisition policy and evaluation; simplified acquisition policy and services; and financial advisory services. Armstead will report directly to Diane Fraiser, director of the logistics and acquisition office and head of contracting activity.

The changes happen Oct. 1.

“I have truly enjoyed my time at NITAAC, and found the position extremely fulfilling," she said in a written statement.

NITAAC hosts several governmentwide IT acquisition contracts, including the Chief Information Officers-Solutions and Partners 3 and its small business version, as well as the Electronic Commodities Store III (ECS III) for IT hardware, software and related services.

Coen said he's ready to carry on Armstead's success.

“With the award of our two new CIO-SP3 GWACs, each valued at $20 billion, we have aggressive plans for agency outreach and training, as well as keeping the contractor community engaged and involved,” he said.