Nathan Alexander Freeman

Qualifications

Preparing and delivering finished products to provide presentations to internal and external stakeholders.

• I prepared detailed instructions for the roles and responsibilities I administered as a Small Business Specialist. I provided the written guidance and delivered a hands on presentation to train the new small business specialist. This training document highlighted the actions necessary to create a finished OSBP product (Monthly Office of Small Business Programs Metrics Report). This report provides an important view for NASA internal stakeholders to track GSFC's and HQ's subcontracting metrics. This presentation is critical to ensure that NASA is on target with the Agency Goals provided by the SBA (external stakeholder). This training document was beneficial to the incoming specialist and assisted in a seamless transition.

• I have successfully awarded a wide variety of procurement products. I prepared and awarded a contract (Cost No Fee) for the delivery and installation of an antenna to the Fortaleza Geodetic Observatory (FGO) in Brazil. The Antenna was purchased under a previous NASA contract and a new contract vehicle was required for the shipment of the antenna from the external stakeholder (Foreign contractor (Canada)) to the FGO facility. This procurement was highly complex and required frequent collaboration and meetings between the external and internal stakeholders. This contract required extensive review and approval due to it being a foreign award. This contract required the development of two unique clauses including a unique storage clause and a clause to verify payment of any potential fees encored importing the antenna through Brazilian customs.

• I developed a second unique clause for the FGO antenna delivery contract. The contractor requested that I include supporting language into the contract stating NASA intended to pay the shipping costs and work with the Brazilian Government to get the antenna into the country. I presented this clause to the internal stakeholders including the GSFC Legal Team, Policy Team and to Senior GSFC Procurement Leadership. I presented a simplified timeline of the procurement history and the contractors requests for this requirement to assist in Senior Leadership's decision making. Senior leadership accepted the recommendation to implement the unique clause into the final contract product.

• I have prepared and delivered training presentations to assist with navigation of procurement information systems with difficult user interfaces. I provided this presentation training product to internal stakeholders (Contract Specialists). These training presentations have increased team member confidence in their abilities to successfully navigate the procurement systems, award contracts, and complete their other desired actions.

• During the contract pre-award process, I prepare market research findings and complete Small Business Coordination Forms (NF 1787) to plan for small business involvement. I provide the market research finding and the completed Small Business Coordination Forms products to the contracting officer (internal stakeholder). These products support the market research and acquisition planning portion of the contract file.

Analyzing procurement data to provide recommendations to all types of small businesses, while working to ensure all small business programs are supported.

• The Acquisition Planning portion of my workload consisted of reviewing the goals and objectives I received for the new acquisitions. I analyzed the available procurement data to determine if it was possible for the requirement to fit under an active contract vehicle and to assess potential opportunities for small business involvement. I conducted Market Research to ensure the new requirement was fairly and equitably competed and there were no undue barriers for small business involvement. Based on my analysis, if a contract was similar in size and scope, the associated subcontracting goals could be applicable for the developing contract opportunity. This information is significant since it provides justification to support that opportunity could be set aside for the office of small business programs. If no suitable vehicle was found, I recommended the type of contract which would be NASA's best interest based on the contract Statement of Work.(Cost Type Contract, Firm Fixed Price,Time and Materials etc.).

• In analyzing the FGO Antenna Delivery Follow-On Contract, I analyzed the procurement data and history from the initial Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) Antenna Contract. Based on the shipping rates in the original contract, the shipping terms and conditions provided shipping rates more favorable to the government then current shipping rates post COVID. The shipping rates contributed to the justification for the JOFOC; however, full open competition could have provided more favorable shipping rates and potential opportunities for small business involvement. Based on my Business Development experience including analysis of data, market research, and the issues with shipping, I recommended that Small Business should be considered for this requirement.

• I am responsible for submission of Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) reports. I have experience navigating and reporting data for the Electronic Subcontracting Reporting System (ESRS). These systems provide NASA important information to track contractor past performance and subcontracting performance and percentages. These systems provide management crucial information to objectively decide if a contract is performing well and if it is on track to meet the established project objectives.

• I am in the early acquisition planning stages for a new Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) Time and Materials requirement with a total estimated value of $100K. The Planning Purchase Requisition had a vendor listed who upon further research is a Minority Owned Business, Self Certified Small Disadvantaged Business and Hispanic American Owned Business. I am firmly advocating that this award should be set aside for small business based on several factors including: initial Market Research, the Rule of Two, and the requirement falling under the $250K threshold.

• Additionally, while awarding contracts, I advocate for small business involvement and any potential small business subcontracting opportunities. I have completed cost benefit analysis to support the Price Negotiation Memorandums (PNM). These methods help to ensure that the awards are in NASA's best interest and that all feasible small business opportunities are explored.

• During the contract pre-award process, I analyze procurement data such as existing contract vehicles, broad agency announcements, and center subcontracting goals, and the NASA Vendor Database to determine market research findings. This data is used to support the Small Business Coordination Forms (NF 1787) to plan for small business involvement. I use this data to provide recommendations for opportunities to be set aside for small business consideration.

Interpreting broad Agency policies, processes, and/or procedures to support small business programs.

• I use my small business and procurement knowledge to interpret broad agency policies, processes, and or procedures to support small business programs. I follow all guidelines and regulations from the Code of Federal Regulation (CFR), the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR),the NASA FAR Supplement (NFS) and Clause Finder+. I successfully awarded interagency agreements, contracts with universities, and foreign acquisitions using these resources.

• During the pre-award portion of the acquisition process, I work closely with Policy and Legal to ensure that the requirements are contractually sound. I collaborate to ensure contract modifications are administered correctly and are legally binding based on the terms and conditions.

• I administer an 8a Joint Venture contract for the Goddard Institute of Space Studies (GISS). This contract is highly competitive, highly visible, and is a longstanding part of the 8a small business program. The current Joint Venture Agreement is 60% to Autonomic Enterprise, Inc (the 8a Participant) and 40% to Business Integra Technology Solutions.

• I closely monitor the costs and fees in the 533 reports. This ensures that both contractors are in alignment with the joint venture percentages, the program goals provided in the Statement of Work, and that they are in accordance with all policies, terms, and contract conditions. This close monitoring maintains contract vehicle integrity and limits potential violations to the 8a Joint Venture Agreement.

• I review and interpret 533 reports for my cost type contracts. I review the planned costs in comparison to the actual costs for each month and I document my findings each month. There are occasional errors in the arithmetic on the 533s which require the contractor to submit an updated document. I analyze the 533 to interpret if the contract cost is in an overrun or underrun position. I report my monthly findings to management. If there are negative trends over a long period of time, I make the recommendation this be reflected on the contractors past performance and annual CPARS score. I provide my team frequent updates regarding potential issues in order to strategize best possible solutions and minimize negative recommendations.

• The primary duties for this position were customer service, and the evaluation of Subcontracting Plans. The Subcontracting Plan evaluation was necessary to ensure that all FAR Requirements and Subcontracting Requirements were included in the plans.

• In this role, I was introduced to the different types of contract vehicles and the importance of subcontracting plans. I assisted in the evaluation of subcontracting plans at the Source Evaluation Board (SEB) facility.

• This role shaped my view on the procurement process and developed me into and the vocal small business advocate I am today.

• This role provided frequent opportunities to interact with industry and the small business community. It also provided me opportunities to learn about small business programs and business development programs.

• Manager with high integrity, self-motivation, strong work ethic, and professional leadership skills.
• Dedicated employee who motivated team members to consistently provide guests with extraordinary service.
• Experienced Leader of Training Team and Restaurant Quality Assurance Team.

• Provided high quality customer service to all members.
• Maintained a sanitary kitchen environment and served food and beverages.
• Assisted in a successful complete warehouse inventory.

• Provided hands on training to new team members and encouraged them to develop customer service soft skills. These skills focused primarily on second mile service and hospitality best practices.
• Led initiatives which improved overall customer satisfaction scores and store metrics.