Melinda Rivera
Frederick,MD
Summary
Warranted Federal Contract Specialist and Contracting Officer with a track record of securing $7M in awards in FY25 and maintaining a 100% on-time completion rate. Skilled in contract negotiation and advanced procurement planning, with a focus on vendor relationship management. Demonstrated ability to improve organizational effectiveness through collaboration and effective risk management strategies.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Contract Specialist / Contracting Officer | GS-12
IT Support Services Branch (ITSSB)
Baltimore, Maryland
01.2023 - Current
- Secured Federal Acquisition Certification - Contracting (FAC-C) Level II, obtaining Class 2 warrant for $7M awards.
- Trained new Contract Specialists on processing actions to ensure smooth workload transitions.
- Developed guidance document for Advanced Procurement Plans (APPs), earning a Contribution Award.
- Awarded 48 actions in FY23, with a 100% on-time completion rate.
- Cultivated professional relationships to enhance organizational effectiveness and customer service, which proved helpful when working in person with the Lead Evaluator for the Geospatial Information System (GIS) to aid in the technical evaluation process and ensure a meaningful technical evaluation report was written based on the solicitation and quotes received. Ultimately, this led to the establishment of an unprotested five-year Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA).
- Led Cybersecurity and Risk Management re-compete as Lead Contract Specialist, resolving acquisition delays.
- Initiated in-person meetings post-return to office to strengthen collaboration and improve morale.
- Adapted to workplace changes while ensuring compliance with security requirements and organized documentation.
Contract Specialist | GS-11
Division of IT Support Services (DITSS)
Baltimore, Maryland
01.2022 - 12.2022
- Achieved exceptional performance ratings for 'Interpersonal Skills' during FY22 evaluation.
- Cultivated positive relationships with coworkers, internal customers, and contractors.
- Facilitated bi-weekly meetings to clarify program requirements and resolve concerns.
- Managed the Social Security Online Accounting and Reporting System recompete, ensuring clarity through continuous engagement with the program office, and ensuring that the technical evaluation criteria were clear and concise. Ultimately, this led to approximately $20 million over the life of the contract being awarded to a small business.
- Inherited and strengthened the Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract with the agency's identity-proofing contractor by addressing previous weaknesses.
- Collaborated with legal departments to maintain compliance with all terms and conditions of contracts.
- Processed 13 additional requisitions, on top of my normal workload in FY22, demonstrating adaptability to fluctuating workloads.
- Enhanced team morale through social activities at monthly meetings, promoting collaboration.
Contract Specialist | GS-9
Division of Facilities Contracts (DFC)
Baltimore, Maryland
10.2020 - 01.2022
- Demonstrated independence as Contract Specialist, making informed decisions with minimal supervision.
- Proactively communicated updated milestones, ensuring management remains informed on requisition progress.
- Facilitated discussions with contractors and CORs to address inquiries efficiently.
- Mediated between COR and the contractor, resolving invoice payment discrepancies effectively.
- Identified contractor's DBA issues in SAM, facilitating timely invoice updates.
- Collaborated with the contractor and GSA legal team to correct DUNS number and CAGE code errors.
- Streamlined communication with COR, identifying upcoming requirements by building rapport over two years.
- Reviewed equitable adjustment requests per FAR guidelines, assessing feasibility based on changes in agreements.
Contract Specialist | GS-7
DFC
Baltimore, Maryland
10.2019 - 09.2020
- Transitioned to Contract Specialist role, achieving FAC-C Level 1 Certification during adjustment period.
- Adapted responsibilities from Purchasing Agent to Contract Specialist in Facilities Contracts.
- Managed acquisitions for over 100 sites in New York and New Jersey, addressing complex challenges.
- Collaborated with technical teams to draft detailed Statements of Work for various contracts.
- Facilitated meetings with Division Director and Project Manager to ensure contract support.
- Expedited BPA Call Order for Talk-A-Phone requirement, overcoming funding and timing issues.
- Conducted timely CPARS reviews, influencing vendor selection across government contracts.
- Achieved completion of 30 actions totaling over $1,005,000, with 28 actions submitted ahead of schedule.
Purchasing Agent | GS-6
Division of Eastern Regional Contracts (DERC)
Baltimore, Maryland
10.2018 - 09.2019
- Earned trust from Team Lead and Division Director for independent operation at GS-6 level.
- Executed court reporting services for EEOC oral arguments and depositions, analyzing data and summarizing trends.
- Managed short lead-time assignments by merging contracts and VHR Task Orders per management directives.
- Maintained organization of over 100 annual files through effective documentation practices.
- Assisted with equitable adjustments for multiple Task Orders under vendor's Verbatim Hearing Recorder Contract.
- Adapted to changing priorities and technology to meet deadlines effectively.
- Developed Novation Agreement under FAR Part 42 for Vocational Expert transitioning to LLC status.
- Provided feedback on Continuity of Operations Plan during job shadowing, resulting in executive approval.
Puchasing Agent | GS-5
DERC
Baltimore, Maryland
09.2017 - 09.2018
- Executed 174 acquisition actions, obligating nearly $500,000 for medical and vocational contracts.
- Facilitated supply purchases, including court reporting and translation services for various languages.
- Verified purchase requisitions against master lists, recommending alternatives to Contracting Officer Representatives.
- Utilized solicitations and reverse auctions to promote fair competition among disadvantaged businesses.
- Collaborated with contractors and customers across five regions, effectively addressing acquisition inquiries.
- Revised sensitive language in Statement of Work for Employee Assistance Program under Division Director's guidance.
- Communicated professionally with stakeholders, ensuring clarity and respect in all interactions.
- Provided timely responses to inquiries from medical and vocational experts regarding contract extensions.
Education
MBA - Business with Certificate in Supply Chain Management
Champlain College
Burlington, VT05-2023
Bachelor of Arts - Political Science
UMBC
Baltimore, MD05-2017
Associate of Arts - International Relations
Montgomery College
Rockville, MD05-2013
Skills
- Contract negotiation and procurement
- Risk management and compliance
- Vendor oversight and evaluation
- Information assessment and requests
- Conflict resolution strategies
- Advanced procurement planning
Affiliations
- SSA Shark Award (August 2024)
Office of Information and Security (OIS) Phishing Awareness Program - Recognition of Contribution Performance Award (June 2024)
- Exemplary Contribution or Service Award (June 2023)
In recognition for addressing inconsistencies in Advanced Procurement Plans (APPs) - Recognition of Contribution Performance Award (April 2023)
- SSA Shark Award (November 2022)
Office of Information and Security (OIS) Phishing Awareness Program - Exemplary Contribution or Service Award (September 2022)
Submitted by Office of Financial Policy and Operations (OFPO) for the Social Security Online Accounting and Reporting System (SSOARS) Recompete - Exemplary Contribution or Service Award (September 2022)
In recognition for outstanding contribution to the team in processing FY22 workloads - SSA Shark Award (March 2020)
Office of Information and Security (OIS) Phishing Awareness Program - Recognition of Contribution Performance Award (March 2019)
Federal Trainings
⦁ Acquisition of Commercial Items
⦁ Advanced Simplified Acquisition Procedures
⦁ Appropriations Law for Contracting Professionals
⦁ Basic Contracting for GSA Schedules: FAC023 Section 895
⦁ CLC 056: Analyzing Contract Costs (DAU)
⦁ CLC 058: Performance Based Payments (DAU)
⦁ CON 100: Shaping Smart Business Arrangements
⦁ CON 121: Contract Planning
⦁ CON 124: Contract Execution
⦁ CON 127: Contract Management
⦁ CON 170: Fundamentals of Cost and Price Analysis
⦁ CON 200: Business Decisions for Contracting
⦁ CON 216: Legal Considerations
⦁ CON 216: Legal Considerations in Contracting
⦁ CON 244: Construction Contracting
⦁ CON 280: Source Selection and Administration of Service Contracts
⦁ CON 290: Contract Administration and Negotiation in a Supply Environment
⦁ CONTRACTOR PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT REPORTING SYSTEM (CPARS)
⦁ FAR 52.212-4 and -5; Commercial Item Acquisition
⦁ FCL-CM-2500 - CATEGORY MANAGEMENT 101
⦁ FCN 165: Protests, Disputes and Terminations
⦁ FCN 190: FAR Fundamentals
⦁ FPDS-NG Verification and Validation
⦁ GSA’s Schedule 03FAC Facilities Maintenance and Management Training
⦁ High Impact Communication
⦁ Leadership Excellence for Acquisition Professionals (LEAP)
⦁ Operating Practices in Contract Administration
⦁ Risk Management in Acquisitions
⦁ Service Contract Labor Standards Statute Overview
⦁ Simplified Acquisition Procedures
⦁ Source Selection
⦁ Source Selection Bootcamp
⦁ Statement of Work (SOW) Workshop
⦁ Task and Delivery Order Contracting
⦁ Understanding SSA, the Organization & OAG’s Role
Certification
- Federal Acquisition Certification - Contracting (FAC-C) (Professional)
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Contract Specialist / Contracting Officer | GS-12
IT Support Services Branch (ITSSB)
01.2023 - Current
Contract Specialist | GS-11
Division of IT Support Services (DITSS)
01.2022 - 12.2022
Contract Specialist | GS-9
Division of Facilities Contracts (DFC)
10.2020 - 01.2022
Contract Specialist | GS-7
DFC
10.2019 - 09.2020
Purchasing Agent | GS-6
Division of Eastern Regional Contracts (DERC)
10.2018 - 09.2019
Puchasing Agent | GS-5
DERC
09.2017 - 09.2018
MBA - Business with Certificate in Supply Chain Management
Champlain College
Bachelor of Arts - Political Science
UMBC
Associate of Arts - International Relations
Montgomery College
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