Chendra Conklin CPCM, CFCM

Provide procurement guidance to 4 divisions, 12 program offices and 3 acquisition teams to navigate the entire pre-award process originating with the need, market research, acquisition strategy, justifications, and all pre-award documentation.

Contracting Lead of the Integrated Project Team (IPT) supporting the $3M Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) start-up project, building flexible contract frameworks to accommodate evolving program needs. Working closely with the entire stakeholder group to ensure the full scope requirements of the eventual program/division is met, including hardware, budget, IT system integration and support, web support, training, and future requirements.

Recognized expert in the application of innovative acquisition techniques and industry engagement to better inform requirements development and acquisition strategies, maximizing program requirements within budget.

Mentor staff as an acquisition innovation coach to incorporate new practices such as Live RFIs and Video Proposals, streamlining internal processes, and ensuring compliance with DOT/FRA/FAR standards, policies, and regulations.

Research acquisition-related policies, regulations, and market conditions to inform leadership and decision-makers, lead staff training, and ensure compliant documentation and appropriate next steps.

Managed 15 complex IT support service contracts valued at ~$160M for the DOL OCIO, overseeing up to 55 contractors.

Brought in as IPT member/COR to solve significant performance failures in a $6.5M contract. Spearheaded corrective actions, and enabled the award of ~$1M bridge contract within 3.5 days. Collaborated with OEM to achieve statutorily required DOJ reporting for the first time in 4.5 years, saving ~$25k/year in time & effort across multiple internal DOL staff.

Created centralized Contractor Onboarding process, previously handled by 15 CORs, that streamlined operations and justified bringing in two dedicated FTEs for this function processing ~250+ contractors/year & saving 1,000+ hours/year.

Provided program management and contract oversight, collaborating with PMO project managers and SMEs to develop market research, acquisition strategy, SOW/PWS, IGCE, justifications, and supporting documentation. Included ensuring compliance with DOL & FAR standards, policies, and regulations. Researched policies, regulations, and market conditions to inform decision-makers, administer training, and ensure compliant documentation for requirements.

Coordinated with senior & executive leadership on contract performance, risk mitigation, and strategic recommendations.

Directed program management and contract management on the $100 Billion Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network (NPSBN) task orders totaling over $250M, including vendor oversight of up to 75 contractors.

Acted as both PM and COR, developing and executing program plans and processes on task orders to support strategic & operational planning, identifying and implementing solutions for potential contract administration & operational issues.

Implemented SharePoint-based solution to automate contractor onboarding using Power apps, yielding significant reduction in effort across 3 departments, and a time cost savings of ~$95k throughout the year.

Team achieved cost savings of $350K+ in FY22 & $550K+ in FY23 through automation & bringing contractor tasks in-house.

Coordinated with senior & executive leadership on contract performance, risk mitigation, and strategic recommendations.

Full lifecycle CO embedded with the CTO team at the Technology & Innovation Laboratory, selected to help lead the stand-up of a new Chief Procurement Organization (CPO) to administer the 25 year, $25 Billion NPSBN and associated contracts.

Contracting lead for Integrated Project Team (IPT) for the full lifecycle of the complex Crowd Sourced Data Project IT requirement, lead evolution from an industry standard basis to a new, more cost & technologically effective approach.

Project lead & product owner for proposal, creation, & stand up of innovative Evaluation Program, allowing FirstNet to receive items for an evaluation through a streamlined process (1-2 week total cycle) at no charge to the Government.

Member of the DOC Acquisition Working Group for 3 years, resulting in new Department-wide milestone schedules.

Administered a portfolio of contracts totaling $74.3M, ensuring compliance with FAR, DOC, and FirstNet regulations.

Full lifecycle CO, led a sub-team of 3–5 Contract Specialists, including delegating responsibilities, training, mentoring, direction for rework, and review & approval of CS actions.

Worked with stakeholders to create and manage a multi-lab Waveform Generator requirement, evolving a $150k single lab purchase into a streamlined strategic sourcing BPA with a $4.3M ceiling servicing multiple program partners.

Executed the complete contract lifecycle for simplified and complex requirements and actions under FAR Parts 8, 12, 13, and 15 on competitive and sole source bases for both supplies and services. Administered contract portfolio of $52M+, ensuring regulatory & statutory compliance. Advised on NIST campus-wide acquisition strategies and contracting vehicles.

Full lifecycle CO, led sub-team of 3-5 Contract Specialists (CS) and Purchasing Agents, review & approval of CS actions.

Directed IPTs for medical services and food delivery programs, ensuring continuity of service and performance monitoring for these critical, high-risk services to 7,500 residential, remotely located Job Corps students.

Collaborated with AOs, Center Directors (GS-15), and other stakeholders at 27 geographically remote Job Corps Centers.

Executed the complete contract lifecycle for simplified and complex requirements and actions under FAR Parts 8, 12, 13, and 15 on competitive and sole source bases for both supplies and services. Administered contract portfolio exceeding $49M, ensuring regulatory & statutory compliance. Advised on Job Corps-wide acq. strategies and contracting vehicles.