Lucas Payne

Mr. Payne is the Chief of the Small Business Office for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Acquisition and Grants Office (AGO). In this role he oversees the small business program for the organization and provides advice to management and staff on matters relating to the development, evaluation and implementation of federal small business procurement programs, policies and regulations. Mr. Payne also ensures that NOAA strives to attain small business goals including goals in small business socioeconomic categories, to the maximum extent feasible, while meeting NOAA’s mission requirements.

Prior to joining NOAA, Mr. Payne held positions as a Contract Specialist/Contracting Officer with the Department of Defense and Department of Energy.  In his most recent role as a Procurement Center Representative (PCR) with the Small Business Administration, a key component of his responsibilities included oversight and review of federal contracting activities located in the mid-Atlantic region with respect to their procurement processes and procedures. In addition, he provided professional training, outreach, and contract assistance to Government agencies and small businesses.  

Mr. Payne is a veteran and served over 16 years with the Army National Guard which included deployments in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Noble Eagle.  Mr. Payne received a Bachelor’s Degree in Organizational Leadership from Mountain State University and has a Level III DAWIA and Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting.