Michael Merrell
Base Housing On Hill AFB
Summary
Served as an Air Force member with 11 years of total total service: 9 years as active duty member in the Contracting career field, and 2 years, so far, as a traditional national national guardsman in the Cyber Defense/Client Systems career field. Has 3 years of supervisory experience and 2 years of team lead experience, between 2012-2021. Separated active duty as a Staff Sergeant/E-5 with a promotion line-number to Techinical Sergeant/E-6. Organized and dependable candidate successful at managing multiple priorities with a positive attitude. Willingness to take on added responsibilities to meet team goals. Dedicated professional with history of meeting organizational goals utilizing consistent and organized practices. Skilled in working under pressure and adapting to new situations and challenges to best enhance the organizational brand. Seeking to promote in military rank, and maintain a full-time active position that offers professional challenges.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
On MEDCON Orders for Ruptured Achilles Tendon
Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia
12.2023 - Current
Resource Advisor
United States Air Force
09.2023 - 11.2023
- Supervisor: Maj Casey Hong 318-460-1040
- Formulated/executed a $9.4M budget for the Communications Squadron, and a $36M surge/expansion effort SpendPlan, ensuring optimal allocation of resources and timely procurement of essential equipment and services.
- Collaborated with squadron leadership to forecast long-term resource requirements, identifying potential efficiencies and areas of improvement to support mission-critical operations.
- Acted as the primary liaison between the Communications Squadron and higher echelons, ensuring alignment with the 378th AEW's strategic objectives and resource constraints.
- Regularly analyzed budgetary trends and provided comprehensive financial reports to squadron leadership, enabling informed decision-making on resource allocations.
- Oversaw procurement processes, ensuring compliance with regulations and policies, and collaborated with the Contracting and Finance squadrons, as well as contractors and suppliers to secure best-value deals for the squadron.
- Conducted periodic training sessions for squadron personnel on financial stewardship, procurement procedures, and budget management best practices, fostering a culture of fiscal responsibility.
- Managed four (4) additional duties (ITEC Equipment Custodian, Squadron Mail Representative, Sapphire WiFi Puck Program Manager, and Unit Safety Representative) while fulfilling primary Resource Advisor role.
Client Systems Technician
151 Comm Focal Point, 151st Air Refueling Wing
07.2021 - Current
- Supervisor: Joy Spencer, Phone - 702-354-1234
- Currently serving as a traditional drill-status guardsman with the Utah National Guard.
- Works with third-party vendors to resolve issues with hardware or software covered by annual maintenance agreements.
- Monitors use of data files and regulated access to protect secure information.
- Troubleshoots and repaired desktop and mobile systems.
- Sets up new computer systems and devices and installed hardware, software and patching programs.
- Troubleshoots various technical issues dealing with printers, network and phone systems.
Contracting Officer
Air Force Sustainment Center, Contracting Director
02.2020 - 07.2021
- POC: Ninfa Ramirez-Conroy - 801-643-8563
- Worked full-time (40 hours per week).
- Directed acquisition timelines, evaluated proposals, and negotiated contracts. Obtained best values for government & taxpayers.
- Mission-focused business leader; managed $38M acquisition portfolio & real property improvements in support of 10 mission partners among 3 wings (75th ABW, 388th FW, and the 419th FW).
- Maintained readiness as a Contingency Contracting Officer. Prepared for worldwide deployments and natural disasters.
- Used standard forms and templates based on individual circumstances, amending as necessary to keep contractual language relevant to evolve with revised standards.
Contracting Officer
39th Contracting Squadron, Incirlik Air Base
07.2018 - 01.2019
- Supervisor: Terry Agena, Phone: 719-567-1110
- Worked full-time (40 hours per week), and often up to 12 hrs per day.
- Managed 9 Operation Inherent Resolve construction projects valued at a total of $7,000,000. Postured base gym/dining facility/HVAC repairs. Staged personnel for 13,000 sorties in support of Iraq and Syria missions.
- Sole Contingency Contracting Officer for 30 days. Simultaneously managed 86 contracts. Negotiated 9 contract modifications, reallocating $168,000 back to the wing. Avoided mission stoppage.
- Quintessential to largest US hospital in the UK. Filled 66 medical positions through service contracting, worth a total of $49,000,000 over 5-year span. Assisted 6 locations serving 403,000 patients per year.
Contracting Officer
48th Contracting Squadron (USAFE)
04.2016 - 02.2020
- Supervisor: Colin Pugh, phone - 740-403-4037
- Worked full-time (40 hours per week).
- Managed a $10,000,000 contract portfolio; supported 25,000 Department of Defense personnel within the United Kingdom for the 352nd Special Operations Wing, 48th Fighter Wing, 100th Air Refueling Wing, and the 501st Combat Support Wing.
- Performed full life cycle contract admin including market research, solicitation, award, payments & contract close-outs.
- Lead multi-function teams providing sound business acumen for over 23 Resource Advisors & Commanders.
Contract Specialist
7th Contracting Squadron (ACC)
06.2012 - 04.2016
- Supervisor: Chad Koetter, phone: 325-696-3113
- Worked full-time (40 hours per week).
- Evaluated conditions and made proper decisions. Ensured compliance with Congressional and Department of Defense statutes and laws.
- Formulated construction and service contract awards based on a "Best Value" to the government determination.
- Prepared and distributed solicitations. Evaluated offers, determined contractor responsibility for solicitations and awards.
- Performed market research. Reviewed government estimates and requirements. Determined appropriate contract methods.
Education
MBA - Business Administration
Western Governor's University
Millcreek, UT12.2025
Bachelor of Science - Business Strategic Leadership
Southwestern College
Winfield, KS12.2022
Associate of Science - Contracts Management
Community College of The Air Force
Montgomery, AL04.2016
Skills
- Reviews and approves contractual documents for protection of the company's contractual/risk posture, satisfaction of contractual requirements and adherence to company policies and therefore a keen attention to detail is essential
- Plans and executes successful contract negotiations of a complex nature and achieving targeted profit rates as well as favorable terms and conditions to assist in meeting profit and cash goals
- Regularly and proactively interfaces and collaborates with program, technical and operations organizations in order to provide guidance and direction based upon the requirements of the tender and resulting contracts
- Makes decisions in a timely manner, offering guidance and working cooperatively with a multitude of organizations ranging from technical, program, finance, supply chain, export and security
- Serves as a role model for diversity and inclusion through seeking out and including diverse opinions and perspectives, including the ability to solve complex problems by actively seeking information and new ideas from a variety of sources
- Demonstrates commitment and energy to meet customer needs with the ability to provide concise and effective communication through presentation, written documentation or email format with different levels of Management is key
- Administers, extends, negotiates and terminates standard and nonstandard contracts
- Conductes proposal preparation, contract negotiation, contract administration, and customer contact activities to provide for proper contract acquisition and fulfillment in accordance with company policies, legal requirements, and customer specifications
- Prepares bids; processes specifications, progress, and other reports; advises management of contractual rights and obligations; compiles and analyzes data; and maintains historical information
- Builds strong customer intimacy and employee engagement to assist with growing important business areas
- Administers, extends, negotiates and terminates standard and nonstandard contracts
- Conducts proposal preparation, contract negotiation, contract administration, and customer contact activities to provide for proper contract acquisition and fulfillment in accordance with company policies, legal requirements, and customer specifications
- Examines estimates of material, equipment services, production costs, performance requirements, and delivery schedules to ensure accuracy and completeness
- Prepares bids, processes specifications, progress, and other reports
- Advises management of contractual rights and obligations
- Compiles and analyzes data
- Maintains historical information
- Acts as primary interface with customer for contractual issues; Monitor contract and associated program to ensure that contractual obligations are communicated and understood
- Participates in contract proposal preparation, contract negotiations, contract administration, and customer contract activities to manage assigned contracts in accordance with company policies, legal requirements, and customer specifications
- Work under general supervision to develop solutions to both routine and complex contractual matters to ensure company compliance with contract requirements on assigned programs
- Ensures fulfillment of contract requirements, manage contract changes, and maintain historical information
- Reviews terms and conditions to address provisions and risks of financial terms, acceptance criteria, delivery requirements, warranty, intellectual property, termination provisions, indemnification and all other potential risk areas and recommend risk mitigation strategies
- Prepares and manage written communications with internal and external customers for assigned contractual matters
- Enters and maintains contract data into Contract Management System and/or Enterprise Accounting System
- Ensures timely delivery of all contractual deliverables and submission of invoices
- Partners well with Program Leadership to execute Subcontracts and drive results with a high degree of accountability and ownership
- Provides leadership, training, and guidance to cross functional teams
- Facilitates end-to-end subcontract management by supporting subcontract specification development, work statements, and terms and conditions for the procurement of specialized materials, equipment, and/or services Prepares request for proposals, conducts bidders conferences, analyzes and evaluates proposals, negotiates subcontract provisions, selects or recommends subcontractors, writes awards, and administers resulting subcontracts Negotiates and coordinates additions, deletions, or modifications to subcontracts
- Partners closely with Business Management and the Program team to develop and implement strategies
- Reviews and provides feedback on customer RFIs, draft RFPs, and RFPs Guides the program on the implications of model contract terms and conditions
- Facilitates the proposal review process and ensures internal reviews are conducted in accordance with company policies and procedures Partners with the Program team to create briefings for internal reviews
- Prior experience as a contracts/subcontracts manager leading a team of contracts/subcontracts professionals
- Prior experience managing multiple contracts/subcontracts simultaneously requiring extensive organizational skills
- Skilled in Government Contracting software/systems/websites (FAR/Acquisitiongov, CON-IT, SAM, PIEE, WAWF, GSA, etc)
- Skilled in awarding and administering several delivery/task orders via SABER/MACC construction IDIQs, and medical IDIQ contracts
- Experience with DOD contracts, subcontracts, and a variety of contract types such as Cost Plus, Fixed Price, Fixed Price Incentive Fee, etc
- Experience supporting ECPs and REAs
- Extensive Proposal Support
- Has a demonstrated understanding of and experience with the FAR, DFARS, and AFFARS
- Skilled in solicitation, analysis, evaluation, and negotiation of proposals and budget processes
- Skilled in acquisition planning, scheduling from acceptance through award phases
- Skilled in maintaining acquisition plans, milestone charts, and related schedules
- Skilled in properly analyzing contractor proposals for competitive range determinations
- Skilled in pre-proposal conferences (making sure to invite all appropriate parties/officials)
- Skilled in executing all post-award functions, including negotiation changes, modifications, terminations, and closeouts
- Skilled in developing objectives for price range, constructs, and considerations
- Skilled in Business administration
- Strong technical acumen in M365 including Outlook, PowerPoint, and other M365 software programs (Word, Excel, etc)
- Dependable and Responsible
- Skilled in Strategic planning
- Skilled in Communication/Etiquette
- Skilled in Cultural Awareness
- Skilled in Planning and Coordination
- Skilled in Analytical and Critical Thinking
Certification
- Security Clearance - Secret
- Warranted Contracting Officer - SAT ($250k)
- DAWIA Certified Level I & II
- Previous Government Purchase Card (GPC) holder
- CompTIA Security+ Certified
- Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification (expected in May 2024)
Accomplishments
In Chronological Order:
- 2020: Coined by Wing Commander at Hill AFB for service contract work done during fiscal end-of-year.
- 2019: Coined by Secret Service for serving as the Project Officer during a special operation in the assistance of President Trump/Air Force 1, and other head's of state, during the 75th Anniversary of D-Day in Southampton, UK/Normandy, France.
- 2018: Coined by 2-Star General for work done during deployment to Incirlik AB, Turkey.
- 2017: Received squadron Airman of the Quarter for the 3rd quarter at Royal Air Base Lakenheath, UK.
- 2015: Authored contracting article which was published on the front page of the Dyess Air Force Base newspaper. Shared story of 1st Air Force contract created for the Wright brother's 'Flying Machine.'
- 2015: Received the Air Force Sergeant's Association Airman of the Year award at Dyess Air Force Base.
- 2014: First ever 7th Contracting Squadron, at Dyess Air Force Base, Volunteer of the Year award. Gave over 100 hours of service to the community. Aided 16 different organizations.
- 1-time recipient of the Air Force Commendation Medal
- 2-time recipient of the Air Force Achievement Medal
References
- Can provide upon request.
Timeline
On MEDCON Orders for Ruptured Achilles Tendon
Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia
12.2023 - Current
Resource Advisor
United States Air Force
09.2023 - 11.2023
Client Systems Technician
151 Comm Focal Point, 151st Air Refueling Wing
07.2021 - Current
Contracting Officer
Air Force Sustainment Center, Contracting Director
02.2020 - 07.2021
Contracting Officer
39th Contracting Squadron, Incirlik Air Base
07.2018 - 01.2019
Contracting Officer
48th Contracting Squadron (USAFE)
04.2016 - 02.2020
Contract Specialist
7th Contracting Squadron (ACC)
06.2012 - 04.2016
MBA - Business Administration
Western Governor's University
Bachelor of Science - Business Strategic Leadership
Southwestern College
Associate of Science - Contracts Management
Community College of The Air Force
- Security Clearance - Secret
- Warranted Contracting Officer - SAT ($250k)
- DAWIA Certified Level I & II
- Previous Government Purchase Card (GPC) holder
- CompTIA Security+ Certified
- Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification (expected in May 2024)
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