Kevin M. Sampson

Professional Summary

Results-oriented Contracts Professional with over 15 years of progressively responsible experience in federal contracting, lifecycle acquisition management, and strategic business operations. Demonstrates strong analytical skills and adaptability to evolving regulatory requirements, ensuring efficient contract execution from solicitation through closeout. Exceptional communicator with proven success collaborating across cross-functional teams and executive stakeholders to achieve mission objectives.

Expert in soliciting, negotiating, awarding, and administering complex contracts in full compliance with the FAR, DFARS, and agency-specific regulations. Skilled in managing multi-million-dollar portfolios—valued up to $150M annually—while maintaining cost, schedule, and performance integrity.

Proven record of driving organizational growth, including advancing a small business into a mid-sized federal contractor with annual awards exceeding $25M. Adept at developing acquisition strategies, conducting source selections, mitigating risk, and strengthening relationships with program managers, contractors, and agency partners. Experienced trainer recognized for enhancing workforce capability through programs on acquisition policy, compliance, diversity, and professional communication. Known for outstanding organizational and leadership skills, consistently exceeding performance expectations in high-pressure, deadline-driven environments.

Skills & Core Competencies

• Government Contract Management (FAR/DFARS, procurement lifecycle)
• Regulatory Compliance & Risk Mitigation
• Training & Workforce Development
• Budgeting & Financial Oversight
• Executive Communication & Stakeholder Engagement
• Performance Management & Operational Efficiency
• Performance-Based Contracting
• Market Intelligence & Supplier Analysis
• Contract Risk Mitigation
• Cross-Functional Leadership
• Change Management & Process Improvement

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

• Bridge Defense Ft Washington, Maryland

Senior Contracting Specialist July 2025-Present

• Directed full lifecycle contract administration, supporting Contracting Officers on DoD programs valued at over $150M, ensuring strict compliance with FAR, DFARS, and agency-specific policies.
• Developed and executed acquisition strategies that advanced mission objectives, accelerated procurement timelines, and minimized program risk.
• Drafted and reviewed SOWs, SOOs, PWSs, CDRLs, and QASPs, improving contract clarity and reducing performance disputes.
• Conducted cost and price analysis that identified savings opportunities and ensured award decisions reflected fair and reasonable pricing.
• Led market research and technology assessments to shape acquisition strategies, improve competition, and align with emerging defense requirements.
• Coordinated with cross-functional stakeholders to resolve execution issues, facilitating on-time delivery of critical defense capabilities.
• Supported pre-award activities including solicitation preparation, evaluation criteria development, and source selection, directly contributing to timely and compliant contract awards.
• Administered post-award actions—funded/admin modifications, negotiations, and correspondence—streamlining execution and reducing cycle time.
• Oversaw contract performance by monitoring schedule, cost, risk, and deliverables; implemented mitigation measures that minimized delays and protected government interests.
• US Agency for International Development (USAID) Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Contracting/Agreement Officer July 2024-September 2025

• Apply expertise in USAID Acquisition & Assistance (A&A) tradecraft throughout the Program Cycle, from Strategy formulation to Implementation, and ensure that members of integrated mission teams are oriented towards the achievement of development results.
• Provides A&A operational support to the Missions as defined by the contracting backstop and in regulation, and further explains and implements by operating policy, to advance critical initiatives, bilateral/regional development objectives and/or operational targets and goals.
• Develops positive working relationships, maintains an orientation towards achievement of development objectives, while carrying out critical internal control functions with fidelity to the purpose and intent of law and regulation.
• Orchestrates the seamless execution of agency operations deeply rooted in the M Bureau policy objectives, directly overseeing a team of six FSNs, one administrative assistant and one CO.
• Engage effectively and respectfully with Agency staff at all levels and in all offices and Operating Units (OU), as well as with host country counterparts, USG agency representatives, and staff from international donors and implementing partners (IPs).
• Develops and maintains close collaborative working relationships with client (technical) offices and other support offices, including the Program Office, OFM, and EXO.
• Serves as Member of the Mission’s Senior Management team
• Serves as Member of the Management Control Review Committee.
• Contributed to Development Objective teams responsible for activity design and implementation, advising on various design considerations in the Federal Acquisition Regulations.
• Plays a leading role in developing the management considerations sections of Mission Country Development Cooperation Strategies (CDCS), working with the EXO and Financial Management Officer to articulate the planning and resources needed to effectively implement the strategy.

Deputy Office Director/Contracting Officer Dhaka, Bangladesh

March 2021-June 2024

• Served as an expert advisor on the U.S. federal public procurement system, processes, controls, and functions.
• Maintained and expanded knowledge of regulations and policies governing agency and Mission activities, using this expertise to advise client offices on development objectives. This included the Federal Acquisition Regulations, the AIDAR Supplement to the FAR, and agency operating policies related to USAID development assistance programs.
• Assisted technical office staff in utilizing innovative procurement tools, streamlining approaches, and implementing special Agency initiatives such as Broad Agency Announcements (BAA) and co-creation.
• Shared lessons learned and continuously improved procurement tools and approaches to effectively meet Operating Unit objectives.
• Guided USAID Missions on Acquisition & Assistance (A&A) matters throughout Program Cycle, including strategy development, project/activity design, planning, monitoring & evaluation, and collaborative learning.
• Managed a portfolio of A&A awards and supported non-A&A awards during the Implementation phase after activity awards.
• Exercised warrant authority delegated directly from the Senior Procurement Executive (SPE) in Washington under the general oversight of the Mission Director.
• Served as the Source Selection Authority for awards, independently selecting Implementing Partners based on recommendations from technical panels.
• Negotiated and entered into agreements with Implementing Partners for financing development assistance through A&A instruments.
• Executed contract and assistance award modifications during Implementation to support Collaborative Learning & Adapting through adaptive management.
• Contributed as a member of the Partner Government Systems team, applying knowledge of public procurement principles to assess Government-to-Government (G2G) assistance recipients and design risk-mitigation strategies.
• Analyzed procurement and assistance requirements, recommended revisions to statements of work/specifications, and determined the appropriate acquisition or assistance vehicle.
• Advised senior Agency leaders and technical offices on innovative procurement and streamlining approaches.
• Made determinations regarding the allowability of costs for audits, resulting in questioned costs.
• General Services Administration (GSA) Washington, DC

Contract Specialist December 2018-March 2021

• Served as a Contracting Officer responsible for the full range of acquisition functions, including planning, solicitation preparation, cost/price analysis, negotiation, award, administration, and closeout.
• Managed all aspects of the contract lifecycle, ensuring compliance with federal procurement regulations and agency policies.
• Conducted market research to assess competition and inform acquisition strategies.
• Evaluated proposals and technical submissions for responsiveness, cost reasonableness, and contractor responsibility.
• Led contract negotiations, determining pricing, technical terms, and performance requirements.
• Executed contract modifications and supplemental agreements, ensuring effective cost adjustments and performance changes.
• Monitored contractor performance to ensure compliance with terms and conditions, addressing issues that may impact contract success.
• Oversaw contract closeout, including final payments, audits, and settlement of claims.
• Provided strategic procurement guidance to program managers and stakeholders to align acquisitions with mission objectives.
• Interpreted and applied contract policies and regulations, developing recommendations for process improvements.
• Managed contracts under the SBA Section 8(a) and socioeconomic programs, ensuring small business participation and compliance.
• Delivered excellent customer service, demonstrating agility in procurement strategies and responsiveness to client needs.

• Managed a staff of approximately 10 contracting specialists GS-9 to GS-13 and Foreign Service equivalents to support the E3 Bureau Procurement Portfolio.
• Managed workload to ensure compliance with Acquisition and Assistance regulations, including FAR, CFR, and AIDAR, while overseeing skills development and training for contracting specialists.
• Shepherded through CRB and solicited 6 IDIQS with more than $2.0B in ceiling.
• Won OSDBU Contracting Officer of the Year for contributions to the efforts to expand the use of small businesses.
• Procurement lead on cross-functional team that issued the Agency's first Construction Policy for Assistance.
• Developed and awarded construction assessment survey in response to GAO audit request, effectively suspending the audit and saving the US Government significant man-hours and costs.
• Coordinated mid- and long-term acquisition planning with OAA senior management and bureau personnel for workforce planning.
• Contributed to a team that developed and launched the Agency's Pilot Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) template.
• Along with the E3's Senior Management team and Legislative Public Affairs (LPA), negotiated the successful wind-down of highly volatile co-operative agreement for Higher Education with a high visibility recipient.
• Served on panels related to expanding infrastructure contracting opportunities along with other federal agencies including but not limited to SBA, OPIC, and World Bank.
• Collaborated with OAA Senior Advisor to refine GSA contracts' role in procurement portfolio and piloted Contractor Teaming Arrangement (CTA) to enhance small business engagement.
• Frequent contributor on new Agency policies including but not limited to cost analysis, eSRS reporting, and ADS 300.

• Performed a full range of contract specialist duties in a cradle-to-grave acquisition environment.
• Reviewed requests for procurement and statements of work, determined the method of acquisition, completed market research, and prepared the acquisition plans and associated documentation.
• Managed pre-award and post-award activities for grants and contracts, ensuring compliance and effective execution.
• Monitored contractor performance through reports and meetings, identifying areas for improvement and ensuring contract adherence.
• Achieved several contracts below the Procurement Action Lead Time (PALT).
• Led the Construction Review Board in overseeing multiple construction IDIQ contracts.
• Analyzed financial data to identify a recipient's $300,000 shortfall in cost share target, facilitating corrective actions.

• Drove profitable growth through development projects, construction services, and acquisition feasibility studies.
• A full service real estate advisory company providing services in the Baltimore/Washington Corridor.
• Renovated and leased or sold 30 affordable housing properties, enhancing investor returns and supporting LLC growth over 4 years.
• Developed 2 luxury row houses from foundation to completion, achieving an average sale price of $800,000 in Washington, D.C.
• Obtained licensing and bonding for a contracting business in Washington, D.C.

• Developed the 'Serve the Un-served' marketing strategy through extensive competitor analysis and end user research which allowed the organization to double the initial sales forecast within 6 months.
• Managed marketing functions including pricing, product development, promotions to drive cohesive strategy.
• Collaborated with management team to secure $3.2 M in investment capital for strategic initiatives.
• Led inside sales team to acquire new customers for apartment communities post-acquisition.

• Conceived and implemented a branding 'roadmap' which consolidated three acquired brands into one for the prepaid segment which increased earnings by 26%.
• Evaluated potential acquisition targets for strategic fit, leading marketing and back-office integration for successful acquisitions.
• Launched XtendIP,a government market initiative which secured contracts with two municipalities and Detroit Public Schools, the 18th largest district in the country.
• Oversaw product development lifecycle and brand management, enhancing end-user engagement through targeted promotions.
• Collaborated with senior management team to raise over $2.4 M in investment capital during a challenging financial market.
• Directed procurement of marketing services, advertising, and support contracts, ensuring alignment with organizational goals.

• Established initial marketing organization to drive brand awareness and market presence.
• Created a marketing and sales campaign which yielded revenue that was 60% over plan after 3 months.
• Led comprehensive marketing strategy, overseeing development from corporate logo to investor presentations.
• Managed relationships with advertising and public relations agencies to enhance brand visibility and market engagement.
• Formed a strategic alliance with other telecom vendors to reduce the company's customer acquisitions cost by 40%.
• Contributed to the senior management team that raised over $6.0 M in investment capital and $75M in equipment financing.
• Developed Public Utility tariffs for all states the company did business.

• Launched SpeakerID-MSR utilizing voice verification for tracking parolees and ELMOTech, a RF-based product for home incarceration, expanding service offerings.
• Developed 'Link with Security Link' campaign for municipal sales team, securing Cook County Sheriff (Chicago, IL), second largest home incarceration account in the country.
• Directed product development, pricing, promotion, and channel marketing for Electronic Monitoring Services group, enhancing market presence.

• Led an international product development team of engineering, manufacturing, and marketing personnel based in Germany, Italy, and the US that launched the company's 1st stainless steel dishwasher in the US.
• Managed launch of KitchenAid's 1st toaster and toaster oven from concept to market, enhancing brand presence.
• Created product innovations leveraging extensive qualitative and quantitative analysis.
• Managed a range of products including major appliances and small electrics with annual revenues of $60 million.
• Drove overall profitability and revenue through strategic product management.

• Led teams of engineers and unionized construction crews to achieve project objectives.
• Oversaw budgeting, developed specifications, and managed construction processes for projects.
• Project manager on both new construction and renovation projects including manufacturing, office, and lab facilities.