Melissa Tafoya-Cortez
Georgetown
Summary
Seasoned Contract Manager with background in overseeing contract lifecycle from initiation to closure. Known for negotiating complex contracts, ensuring compliance with company policies and managing procurement strategies. Strengths include risk management, relationship building across various sectors, and reducing company costs through effective contract negotiation tactics. Previous impact includes streamlined contracts process, enhanced supplier relationships and improved contractual terms benefiting organizational bottom line.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Contract Manager V, Expert
Department of State Health Services
Austin
01.2024 - 03.2025
- Certified Texas Contract Manager overseeing all phases of contract management activities.
- Executed comprehensive evaluations and monitoring for state health contracts, agreements, and memorandums.
- Facilitated communication between contractors and program staff to enhance collaboration and accountability.
- Drafted and edited correspondence, performance requirements, and budget specifications in compliance with regulations.
- Prioritized contracts to ensure efficient progress through the contract life cycle.
- Maintained project tracking sheets and reported contract statuses to CMS management daily via SharePoint.
- Trained new staff in contract drafting processes and systems for effective oversight.
- Conducted lessons learned meetings at contract closeout to improve future contract processes.
Contract Specialist IV
Department of State Health Services
Austin
08.2020 - 08.2023
- Certified Texas Contract Manager overseeing all phases of contract management activities.
- Executed comprehensive evaluations and monitoring for state health contracts, agreements, and memorandums.
- Facilitated communication between contractors and program staff to enhance collaboration and accountability.
- Drafted and edited correspondence, performance requirements, and budget specifications in compliance with regulations.
- Prioritized contracts to ensure efficient progress through the contract life cycle.
- Maintained project tracking sheets and reported contract statuses to CMS management daily via SharePoint.
- Trained new staff in contract drafting processes and systems for effective oversight.
- Conducted lessons learned meetings at contract closeout to improve future contract processes.
Contract Specialist IV
Health & Human Services Commission
Austin
01.2020 - 08.2020
- Oversaw all phases of contract procurement and management for Eligibility Operations contracts, including MOUs and IACs.
- Provided daily management and oversight for assigned federal and state contracts within Eligibility Operations.
- Acted as liaison between contractors and program staff to facilitate effective communication.
- Coordinated collaboration among contract stakeholders as the primary contact for accountability activities.
- Assisted in evaluating contract risk assessments and developing comprehensive monitoring plans.
- Served as subject matter expert in work groups and training, creating presentations for management.
- Monitored two inboxes for incoming deliverables, ensuring timely review and assignment.
- Communicated with supervisors and leadership regarding issues, applying proper judgment for resolution.
Program Specialist IV
Health & Human Services Commission
Austin
02.2019 - 01.2020
- Participated in the fiscal review of contractors to determine compliance with applicable statutes, departmental rules, and contractual requirements by conducting onsite monitoring reviews, desk reviews, and payment processing validation.
- Supported the contract management or monitoring team in the analysis of contractual issues and problems in the preparation of reports of findings and recommendations.
- Documented the review of findings of contracts on a monitoring tool (Excel document) for management review and approval.
- Made travel arrangements for on-site reviews.
- Prepared of case files requires extensive communication with the vendor directors to obtain source documentation for expenditures.
- Drafted letter of findings for submission to the vendor and contract management.
- Monitored corrective action plans for implementation and completion.
- Systems and applications utilized daily are the following: Microsoft Office Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, and Publisher; System of Contract Operation & Reporting (SCOR); SharePoint; CAPPS Financial and Reporting System; Vendor Performance Tracking System; Texas SmartBuy Portal; and Electronic State Business Daily (ESBD).
Program Specialist V
Department of State Health Services
Austin
11.2012 - 02.2019
- Monitor THSteps-related provisions of the Medicaid enrollment broker and claims administrator contracts.
- Review materials and deliverables to ensure compliance with Medicaid and THSteps policy, the Frew v. HHSC Consent Decree, court-ordered Corrective Action Plans (CAPs), and applicable laws and rules.
- Coordinate multiple subject-matter experts (SME) across the unit to monitor relevant contract deliverables.
- Serve as the lead liaison to Provider Relations (PR) statewide staff, complete quarterly data analysis for inclusion in the Quarterly Monitoring Report (QMR), and participate in the development and monitoring of CAPs or other related projects.
- Train new employees on unit assignments at the request of the Branch Manager, as the need arises.
- Central Office Lead to PR statewide staff includes coordinating and facilitating a monthly conference call with the PR Regional staff.
- Lead and motivate staff to provide accurate and up-to-date information to the Medicaid providers across the state.
- Keep the PR staff apprised of new policies and/or procedures for the Children’s Medicaid Program or services, in order to ensure communication with medical and dental providers statewide.
- Assign the monthly Provider Relations Activity Report to statewide PR staff to obtain their individual work statistics for review and reporting purposes.
- Communicate in writing with the PR staff the expectations of turning in the report and the data within the report.
- Compile the reports from 60 PR staff members and submit them to the HHSC Legal team to submit to the Attorney General’s office in compliance with the FREW lawsuit.
- Serve as the Project Manager of the Texas Medicaid Healthcare Partnership (TMHP) contract monitoring, which includes identifying areas for improvement, data analysis, and review of deliverable reports for THSteps.
- Keep the Branch Manager apprised of areas of risk or concern in relation to each vendor's performance and activities.
- Provide updates at our bi-weekly staff meetings to keep all staff apprised of concerns, changes, or successes of projects being developed or completed by the vendor.
- Serve as SME in THSteps policy in contract meetings with HHSC, DSHS, and Accenture to ensure THSteps policies are accurate, and services delivered to clients are accurate and clear.
- Serve as Subject Matter Expert (SME) in THSteps policy in contract meetings with HHSC, DSHS, and Accenture to ensure THSteps policies are accurate, and services delivered to clients are accurate and clear.
- Review Computer-Based Trainings alongside our Nurse Consultant that include THSteps information to ensure accuracy.
- Advise the Claims Administrator, Contract Oversight (CACO), of concerns or issues with non-compliance by the vendor.
Texas Works Advisor III
Health & Human Services Commission
Austin
11.2011 - 10.2012
- Interpreted policies and procedures for Food Stamps, Medicaid, and TANF programs.
- Conducted daily interviews with clients applying for benefits in Spanish and English.
- Assessed eligibility by analyzing family needs, resources, and income sources.
- Retrieved data broker reports on required household members and relevant information from OAG, SOLQ, WTPY, and SAVE.
Program Specialist I
Health & Human Services Commission
Austin
06.2009 - 10.2011
- Collaborated annually with reviewers, Frew Policy Specialist, and stakeholders to develop and maintain THSteps review instruments and procedures.
- Coordinated with Data Management & Reporting to obtain necessary universe files from TIERS for identifying offices needing THSteps reviews.
- Planned and conducted on-site THSteps reviews of HHSC benefit offices statewide and customer care centers in Austin, Midland, and Athens.
- Organized annual review schedule, optimizing travel arrangements for cost-effectiveness.
- Tracked review findings in Program Integrity Monitoring System (PIMS) for analysis and reporting.
- Analyzed findings from each review, preparing Reports of Findings for office and regional management.
- Requested Corrective Action Plans from non-compliant offices, assisting in development and monitoring compliance.
- Performed audits of outbound correspondence and calls by third-party vendors to ensure contract compliance regarding THSteps.
Investigator I
Health & Human Services Commission
Austin
02.2009 - 06.2009
- Investigated fraud referrals and overpayments using IEVS reports and hotline referrals.
- Built cases to represent agency at fair hearings.
- Pulled data from various databases including TWC, WTPY, and Phoenix for analysis.
- Utilized ARTS, OIG, TITAN, ASOIG, and WAFER programs for claim investigations.
- Reconstructed client budgets to assess benefit amounts and actual income received.
- Determined overpayment status and calculated recoupment amounts.
- Prepared correspondence to clients detailing overpayment information and options available.
- Contacted clients and employers to verify pending information and inmate status from correctional facilities.
Education
Some College (No Degree) - General Education
Austin Community College
Austin, TexasSkills
- Certified Texas Contract Manager
- Project Management
- Contract negotiation and drafting
- Regulatory compliance
- Risk assessment
- Budget management
- Project management
- Data analysis
- Vendor management
- Employee training
- Performance monitoring
- Effective communication
- Attention to detail
- Critical thinking
- Data retrieval systems
- Professional demeanor
- Scheduling
- Business administration
- Time management
- Contract pricing
- Contract administration
- Policy management
- Business correspondence
- Administrative background
- Customer service
- Process management
- Team building
- Continuous improvement
- Policy development
- Update policies
- Procurement management
- Decision-making
- Professionalism
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Planning and prioritization
- Communications management
- Interpersonal skills
- Time management abilities
- Flexible schedule
- Problem-solving
- Quality assurance
- Train staff
- Electronic filing systems
- Excellent communication
- Analytical skills
Timeline
Contract Manager V, Expert
Department of State Health Services
01.2024 - 03.2025
Contract Specialist IV
Department of State Health Services
08.2020 - 08.2023
Contract Specialist IV
Health & Human Services Commission
01.2020 - 08.2020
Program Specialist IV
Health & Human Services Commission
02.2019 - 01.2020
Program Specialist V
Department of State Health Services
11.2012 - 02.2019
Texas Works Advisor III
Health & Human Services Commission
11.2011 - 10.2012
Program Specialist I
Health & Human Services Commission
06.2009 - 10.2011
Investigator I
Health & Human Services Commission
02.2009 - 06.2009
Some College (No Degree) - General Education
Austin Community College
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