Ekatherina Carrera
Joliet,Illinois
Summary
Professional acquisitions specialist and contract management expert with extensive experience in procurement, contract negotiation, and compliance. Proven ability to drive team collaboration and deliver results in dynamic environments. Skilled in strategic planning, vendor management, and risk assessment. Renowned for reliability and adaptability in meeting evolving organizational needs. Quickly adjust to new challenges and find solutions in changing environments.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Supervisory Contract Specialist
FEMA OCCPO
01.2025 - Current
- Represent the Contracting division of FEMA Region 1 with a variety of installation and business organizations.
- Manage the full lifecycle of federal contracts, ensuring compliance with regulations, policies, and procedures.
- Develop innovative contracting solutions to address unique challenges, resulting in more efficient procurement outcomes.
- Review contractor performance against established metrics, ensuring timely delivery of quality products or services within budget constraints.
- Develop strong relationships with key vendors, fostering collaboration and mutual trust for successful contract outcomes.
- Evaluate supplier proposals for technical acceptability, price reasonableness, and risk factors to ensure sound award decisions were made.
- Served as the primary point of contact for all contractual matters, ensuring timely resolution of issues and effective communication with stakeholders.
- Reduced contract processing time through streamlining approval workflows and standardizing documentation.
- Established performance goals for employees and provided feedback on methods for reaching those milestones.
- Mentored junior contract specialists in developing their skills and knowledge in federal acquisition processes and guidelines.
Lead Contract Specialist
FEMA OCCPO HQ
10.2022 - 01.2025
- Currently hold a $25 million warrant and perform a full range of pre-award and post-award functions for various procurements including architecture and engineering services across all FEMA regions
- Currenting Lead Contracting Officer for Region I
- Currently training and mentoring new contract specialist in Region 1 in all aspects of contracting, from pre-award to post-award functions, and FEMA guidelines
- Supporting all FEMA regions Risk Mitigation task orders for FY24 totaling over $50 million under FAR Part 36
- Drafting contracts and modifications including the determination of proper contract clauses for inclusions for all FEMA contracts
- Closing out FEMA contracts as guided by the Federal Acquisitions Regulations (FAR) and returning the excess funding to the FEMA
- Deploy to selected FEMA disasters writing, negotiating, awarding and administering disaster contracts under FAR part 18
- Soliciting for FEMA requirements; analyzing problems and inconsistencies with contractor proposal for disaster requirements; conducting negotiations for disaster contracts; coordinating with Budget Financial Management personnel in resolving issues for funding of disaster contracts
Lead Contract Specialist (IC-1102-12)
FEMA Region 2
06.2020 - 10.2022
- Supported FEMA Region 2 Mission Support Division as the Lead Contract Specialist providing pre-award and post award support while carefully considering budget restrictions.
- Performed contracting support services to acquire goods and services by soliciting, evaluating, negotiating and awarding contracts while assuring they are fair and reasonable from responsible vendors.
- Analyzed contract requirements to ensure compliance with Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) standards.
- Collaborated with legal team to address complex contractual issues.
- Provided training of contracting procedures and requirements to FEMA Region 2 staff.
- Implemented robust tracking systems to monitor ongoing contract performance, enabling proactive identification of potential issues.
Principal Contract Specialist
Port Authority of NY & NJ
07.2018 - 06.2020
- Performed pre-award solicitations for the acquisition of professional and technical services
- This includes, but is not limited to, managing an entire solicitation, preparing RFP documents, reviewing authorization memos, answering proposer questions, and preparing award documents
- Projects I manage mainly consist of capital plan projects and state of good repair projects
- Managed federally funded IQC engineering programs pre and post award
- This includes making sure that solicitations follow federal regulations including Brooks act during pre-award and negotiation task orders and change orders during post award
- Ensured that all procurements are awarded to responsible and responsive proposers/bidders who are highly technically qualified
- Once the highest qualified is identified, perform negotiations to ensure that all awards are given at fair and reasonable price
- Administered contract performance post-award to ensure timely progress, work is performed within budget, negotiate any change orders, and to ensure 100% completion
- Reviewed and approved purchase orders for accuracy, including but not limited to, charge codes, service descriptions and cost
- Provided advice and guidance to client department and project managers proper procurement processes and ensure that all procurements follow the Agency's policies and procedures
- Supervised division staff in case of absence of Manager
- Worked hand-in-hand with the Manager to ensure all procurements are done in compliance and within the timeline
- Participated in the Business Continuity Team as a representative of my division by developing emergency preparedness plans
Senior Contract Specialist
Port Authority of NY & NJ
03.2016 - 07.2018
- Managed procurement process of highly complex and time sensitive projects
- This included call-in and as-needed procurements
- Started working on more highly complex projects that included JFK and EWR Redevelopment
- Proposed new innovative ideas in order to successfully complete said procurements
- Coordinated and advised Port Authority staff and consultants on procurement methods, strategies, procedures and requirements to assure compliance with guidelines and project objectives
- This included training staff on new procedures and updated to existing policies, and servicing as a guide to consultants on how to do business with the Port Authority
- Analyzed cost proposals and led cost negotiations resulting in cost saving of millions of dollars annually
- Analysis included breakdown of profit, hours and hourly rates assigned to staff, and breaking down out-of-pocket costs
- Debriefed directors, managers and chief on projects status
- This included weekly and monthly meetings
- Prepared memos that included updates on projects
- Participated in community outreach functions, serving as the Authority's Procurement representative, publicly discussing requirements for the performance of professional, technical and advisory services
Contract Specialist
Port Authority of NY & NJ
08.2014 - 03.2016
- Managed and maintained the integrity of the Procurement solicitation process by creating an environment for transparency and maximum competition.
- Ensured timely fulfillment of contractual requirements by closely monitoring progress and addressing potential issues proactively.
- Provided support to Engineering Program office in the solicitation of task orders including reviewing and editing scopes of work and in the creation of requisitions.
- Maintained digital and paper and contractual files, ensuring compliance with regulatory mandates and company policies.
Assistant Procurement Support Specialist
Port Authority of NY & NJ
08.2013 - 08.2014
- Performed document control for incoming bids and proposals
- Conducted Public Bid Openings in accordance to procurement guidelines.
- Developed and executed Media Plans for procurement advertisements.
- Managed contract files by working directly with the buyer to reassure the contract is complete and accurate.
- Resolved customer queries, maintaining high levels of service quality.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Business and Technology
Stevens Institute of Technology
Hoboken, NJ05.2010
Masters of Science - Management
Stevens Institute of Technology
Hoboken, NJ05.2015
Skills
- Project and Program Management
- Vendor and Stakeholder relations
- Procurement expertise
- Data analysis and evaluation
- Contract, Policy and Procedure Administration
- Negotiations
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Workflow delegation
Certification
Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting (FAC-C) (Professional) Certificate
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
Spanish
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Supervisory Contract Specialist
FEMA OCCPO
01.2025 - Current
Lead Contract Specialist
FEMA OCCPO HQ
10.2022 - 01.2025
Lead Contract Specialist (IC-1102-12)
FEMA Region 2
06.2020 - 10.2022
Principal Contract Specialist
Port Authority of NY & NJ
07.2018 - 06.2020
Senior Contract Specialist
Port Authority of NY & NJ
03.2016 - 07.2018
Contract Specialist
Port Authority of NY & NJ
08.2014 - 03.2016
Assistant Procurement Support Specialist
Port Authority of NY & NJ
08.2013 - 08.2014
Masters of Science - Management
Stevens Institute of Technology
Bachelor of Science - Business and Technology
Stevens Institute of Technology
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