Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
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Kate Allen

Round Hill,VA

Summary

A seasoned Pricing Specialist with over 18 years of experience in creating and producing pricing volumes for the government and private sector. I am the go-to person in any organization, known for my ability to get a job done in an efficient and professional manner producing high-quality results.

In new business organizations, I have created Pricing Volumes, Cost Notes, and ensure the entire Volume is compiled correctly for Government Contract RFPs reponses, working with the larger RFP responses team. I have mentored and trained junior staff in pricing and creating cost volumes, worked with Senior and Executive Staff on Pricing Strategies and Indirect Cost Structure. The RFPs have ranged from $25,000 to $250 million in size.

I have created, reviewed, and managed FFP, CPAF, CPFF, T&M, IQIC/TO pricing responses for both domestic and international USG contracts. RFPs have been as both prime contractor and subcontractor.

I am also extremely skilled at problem solving, with excellent written and verbal communication skills. I work well independently and am extremely self-motivated who can also work in teams. I have extensive Excel skills as well as budget creation and tracking, and pricing volume experience. I also have strong MS Office skills and work in Word, Powerpoint, Adobe, and a host of other apps.

Overview

23
23
years of professional experience

Work History

Senior Researcher and Operations Manager

Optimal Disruption, LLC
07.2014 - Current
  • Provides all pricing models, cost narratives, and basis of estimates for new business development,
  • Manages Cost and Budgeting for business
  • Served as Senior Researcher for Legal Expert

Director of Contract and Pricing

Szanca Solutions
01.2011 - 07.2014
  • Served as Director Contracts and Pricing for new business
  • Responsible for contract management of all contracts and all pricing efforts, for all types of federal contracts, including CPAF, IDIQ/TO, FFP, T&M, and CPFF type proposals.
  • Reviewed and negotiated teaming agreements, non-disclosure agreements, contracts, and subcontracts
  • Developed and implemented comprehensive strategies to improve operational processes and organizational efficiency.
  • Established all pricing efforts, including submission requirements and cost narrative.

Senior Manager, Contracts and Pricing

L-3 LOTS
06.2008 - 01.2011
  • Served as Contracts and Pricing Manager for the cleared linguists division of L-3 Services, Inc
  • Responsible for contract management of contracts and all division pricing, for all types of federal contracts, including CPAF, IDIQ/TO, FFP, T&M, and CPFF proposals.
  • Reviewed and negotiated teaming agreements, non-disclosure agreements, contracts, and subcontracts
  • Coordinated with internal departments to ensure successful execution of proposals according to timeline.
  • Drafted, managed, reviewed, and submitted pricing efforts for the division, including pricing models and cost narratives based on submission requirements .

Program Manager

Hinchcliffe & Company
07.2006 - 06.2008
  • Served as Program and New Business Manager
  • Responsible for growing the business through the new business process by reviewing all technical proposals and creating the pricing volumes, and negotiating with partners and subcontracts on their costs
  • Managed program budgets and timelines, ensuring projects stayed on track and within allocated resources.
  • Developed project plans, identified risks, set objectives and monitored progress towards completion.

Independent Consultant

Washington, DC
05.2005 - 07.2006
  • Consulted for several small business in IT services, pricing and contracts efforts
  • Assisted Contracts Officer and Technical Team to draft a CPFF grants management system RFP for the DoEd
  • Assisted the Technical Review team with the proposal process, including responses to industry, Competitive Range and BAFO Selection Rounds
  • Worked with the DoEd on managing the RFP process, including source selection, Innovative Solutions International, Contract Manager and Senior Pricing Specialist
  • Consulted as a contract manager and pricing specialist for an FAA contractor.

Director, Document Management Department

Chemonics International Inc.
Washington, D.C.
10.2004 - 03.2005
  • Tasked with launching new department for a content and document management implementation
  • Responsible for product selection, contract and pricing negotiations, and subcontract creation
  • Administered staffing, scheduling, budget, customer communications, risk management, QA/QC, and training of software implementation projects
  • Managed 4 direct reports and a 4-member team of subcontractor consultants.
  • Collaborated with senior leadership to set long-term objectives for the company.
  • Recruited, trained, supervised, evaluated and mentored staff members.
  • Managed budgeting and financial planning processes for the organization.
  • Conducted regular meetings with department heads to review progress on strategic initiatives.

Manager, Business Solutions Department

Chemonics International Inc.
Washington, D.C.
01.2002 - 10.2004
  • Established new software department within company
  • Established staffing plan for building from 6 to 50 staff members and consultants and assisted in the implementation of a testing team
  • Created templates for technical, process, and budgetary reports
  • Interviewed and hired 10 staff members, including staffing and salary negotiations
  • Performed enterprise-level needs assessment with 14 departments and established work plan and budget to address enterprise-level software needs.

New Business Manager, International Health Group

Chemonics International Inc.
Washington, D.C.
01.2001 - 01.2002
  • Managed USAID RFPs and Contracts and subcontracts for Health Group for international contracts. Reviewed the Prime Contract and created the subcontracts, using the Prime Contract provisions. Negotiated the subcontract with subcontractors.
    Traveled to Africa and Asia for new business intel.
    Worked with New Business teams on RFP analysis and pricing strategy. Created RFP response approach, including page allocation strategy and pricing strategy.
  • Worked a variety of proposals and contracts, including RFPs for CPFF, T&M, CPAF, IDIQ, and Fixed Priced proposals. Created Cost Volumes, including cost notes, and other required cost volume documentation. RFP sizes ranged from $10 million to $50 million, typically over 5 years. Additionally, served as Senior Pricing Specialist. In particular, worked on a $250 million Health Implementation CPFF USAID RFP, with 8 subcontractors and 70 proposed staff members. Managed 2 assistant pricing specialists who also worked on pricing effort. Worked with subcontractors to establish teaming agreements and subcontractor pricing. Supervised the creation of the entire Pricing Volume with cost notes, resumes, and subcontracting plan.
  • Worked on competitive range and BAFO response strategy and pricing.
  • Worked with Proposal teams, Executive Staff, Senior Staff, Recruiters, technical writers, procurement staff and others to create a robust and accurate cost proposal.
  • Extremely familiar with FAMS, FARS, and USG CAS.
    Trained junior staff in creating cost volumes.
    Worked with procurement teams on international shipping and exports for cost and contracts needs.
    Assisted in starting-up a new Health Group for USAID contracts. Hired and managed a new business staff of 4.
  • Managed departmental budget projections and management, reported directly to senior vice-president.

Education

Master of Arts - International Development

American University

Bachelor of Arts - Political Science

California State University Long Beach

Skills

  • Pricing Specialist for Government Contracting
  • Self Directed
  • Federal RFP pricing response for CPAF, CPFF IDIQ/TO, T&M and FFP RFPs
  • Cost Estimates
  • Research And Analysis
  • Strong Excel Skills
  • Budget Management and Projections
  • New Business for Government Contractors
  • Government Contracts/Procurement
  • Private Sector Contract/Procurement
  • Strong Communication Skills
  • Strong Writing Skills
  • Strong Interpersonal and Client Management Skills
  • Self-Directed
  • Responsible
  • Hard Working

Timeline

Senior Researcher and Operations Manager

Optimal Disruption, LLC
07.2014 - Current

Director of Contract and Pricing

Szanca Solutions
01.2011 - 07.2014

Senior Manager, Contracts and Pricing

L-3 LOTS
06.2008 - 01.2011

Program Manager

Hinchcliffe & Company
07.2006 - 06.2008

Independent Consultant

05.2005 - 07.2006

Director, Document Management Department

Chemonics International Inc.
10.2004 - 03.2005

Manager, Business Solutions Department

Chemonics International Inc.
01.2002 - 10.2004

New Business Manager, International Health Group

Chemonics International Inc.
01.2001 - 01.2002

Master of Arts - International Development

American University

Bachelor of Arts - Political Science

California State University Long Beach
Kate Allen