NICHOLAS A HANKO
Stroudsburg
Summary
Multi-talented Senior Manager well-versed and highly effective at developing, executing and directing key improvements to enable business enhancements and growth. Visionary leader with solid success leading business operations toward growth.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Manager, Contracts
L3Harris Technologies, Inc
North Amityville
10.2022 - Current
- Led complex negotiations for high-value government service contracts under strict FAR/DFARS regulations to ensure profitable and compliant business agreements. Through meticulous proposal evaluation and strategy alignment, successfully secured multi-million dollar awards while minimizing long-term liability.
- Ensured strict regulatory compliance standards across all active IDIQ, CPAF, CPFF, and FFP contracts by establishing recurring internal audits. This proactive compliance framework completely eliminated audit findings and secured flawless ratings from regulatory oversight bodies.
- Mitigated contractual risks during the pre-proposal and proposal phases by applying advanced risk management methodologies to all bidding materials. This rigorous review process prevented costly post-award disputes and maintained the organization's high success rate in competitive bidding.
- Monitored critical performance milestone obligations across a diverse contract portfolio to guarantee on-time delivery and prevent penalty assessments. This proactive oversight system sustained a 98% compliance rate and preserved strong relationships with key government representatives.
- Facilitated strategic communications between government contacts and internal executive leadership during high-stakes contract modifications, resolving execution bottlenecks and maintaining complex program schedules.
- Streamlined the internal contract approval workflow by designing and implementing automated tracking tools across the department. This strategic process improvement reduced contract cycle turnaround times by 25% and accelerated project kickoff timelines.
- Coordinated cross-functional operations with engineering, finance, legal, and program management teams to align proposal submissions with client solicitation requirements, eliminating departmental silos and ensuring thorough vetting of operational and financial risks.
- Analyzed intricate RFP and solicitation requirements for complex defense sector systems to identify potential operational and regulatory obstacles early in the bidding process. By conducting comprehensive risk assessments, enabled leadership to make highly informed bid-or-no-bid decisions.
- Leveraged historical pricing and performance data to optimize financial parameters in upcoming contract proposals. This analytical approach directly improved overall contract profitability margins by 15% without sacrificing technical quality or compliance.
- Developed and executed robust vendor management policies to streamline the procurement of critical components for major engineering projects. This initiative optimized supply chain agreement terms and secured more favorable pricing structures from strategic suppliers.
- Advised executive leadership on contractual liabilities, licensing agreements, and international trade compliance to protect organizational assets. By delivering clear risk-mitigation strategies, guided the business through complex, high-risk procurement decisions.
- Resolved high-stakes contractual disputes and performance issues with external clients through structured mediation and negotiation. These successful interventions protected the firm from costly litigation and restored trust in critical client relationships.
Division Chief, Administrative Contracting Officer
Defense Contract Management Agency
Philadelphia
08.2019 - 10.2022
- Functioned as a warranted Administrative Contracting Officer with unlimited signatory authority, overseeing complex defense contracts and multi-million dollar transactions. Directed essential administrative functions to maintain compliance with FAR, DFARS, and CAS regulations across multiple program lines.
- Led contract administration for high-value, complex defense systems by establishing strategic government negotiation positions and reviewing contractor practices. Partnered with Procurement Contracting Officers and Program Managers to successfully mitigate risks and align program milestones.
- Exercised unlimited signatory authority to execute and modify complex defense acquisitions, ensuring strict adherence to federal acquisition regulations. Guided cross-functional teams through comprehensive post-award administration to achieve seamless program execution and compliance.
- Managed comprehensive contract portfolios for advanced telemetry and defense products, establishing rigorous oversight of contractor business systems. Collaborated with senior DoD leadership to resolve intricate contractual issues and protect government interests.
- Formulated and implemented robust risk mitigation strategies for high-priority defense acquisition programs valued at millions of dollars. Negotiated critical contract modifications and resolved complex disputes to ensure timely delivery of essential military capabilities.
- Conducted compliance reviews and evaluated contractor cost accounting standards, ensuring financial integrity and adherence to regulations. Advised internal program teams and external partners on complex FAR and DFARS requirements.
- Conducted detailed proposal evaluations and led negotiation preparation for major defense systems, securing favorable terms and minimizing financial risk. Partnered with technical and financial experts to assess contractor capabilities and align contract structures with defense goals.
- Communicated with key DoD stakeholders, including Executive Senior Leaders and Program Managers, to align contracting strategies with national security objectives. Analyzed contractor performance and compliance to support informed decision-making.
- Managed dispute resolution and claims processes as a warranted contracting officer, ensuring fair and legally compliant outcomes.
- Led cross-functional teams in evaluating contractor business systems, identifying deficiencies and driving corrective action plans. Enhanced oversight of multi-million dollar defense programs by implementing rigorous compliance monitoring tools.
- Managed the oversight of defense systems acquisition contracts, acting as the primary point of contact for contractor and government representatives. Negotiated equitable adjustments and contract modifications that optimized resource utilization and protected program integrity.
- Directed compliance awareness training and mentored junior contract professionals in interpreting FAR, DFARS, and international licensing regulations. Fostered a culture of continuous improvement and rigorous attention to detail within the contract administration division.
Branch Chief, Supervisory Contracting Officer
Army Contracting Command
Picatinny Arsenal
01.2017 - 08.2019
- Directed the execution of complex acquisition programs by overseeing contract actions from pre-proposal through post-award phases. This strategic oversight guaranteed full alignment with Department of Defense guidelines while mitigating operational risks for major systems acquisitions.
- Led intense contract negotiations for sophisticated technology systems to secure optimal pricing, favorable terms, and robust risk mitigation frameworks. These efforts successfully protected organizational interests and drove high-value program delivery on schedule.
- Supervised a high-performing team of contracting professionals by assigning strategic workloads, establishing clear performance metrics, and directing daily procurement priorities. Through targeted coaching and professional development initiatives, team productivity and compliance with federal regulations significantly increased.
- Formulated and implemented streamlined contract administration policies and procedures ensuring adherence to FAR and DFARS requirements, resulting in flawless compliance during external audits of major programs.
- Formulated and implemented streamlined contract administration policies and procedures to ensure absolute adherence to FAR and DFARS requirements. As a result, the team achieved a flawless compliance record during intensive external audits of major programs.
- Collaborated with multi-functional stakeholders, including engineering, finance, and legal teams, to resolve acquisition challenges and streamline business processes, optimizing resource allocation and accelerating contract award timelines.
- Managed and mentored a professional contracting staff by conducting regular performance evaluations and identifying targeted training opportunities. This proactive leadership fostered a collaborative environment that elevated overall team capability and morale.
- Advised senior leadership on the applicability of international trade regulations, ITAR/EAR licensing, and cost accounting standards for major defense acquisitions. This expert guidance prevented regulatory violations and ensured seamless international program cooperation.
- Collaborated with multi-functional stakeholders, including engineering, finance, and legal teams, to resolve intricate acquisition challenges and streamline business processes. This cross-functional alignment optimized resource allocation and accelerated critical contract award timelines.
- Developed comprehensive training programs focused on sophisticated contract types, including IDIQ, CPAF, and FFP structures, to enhance staff expertise. This initiative significantly reduced processing errors and accelerated the contract drafting lifecycle.
- Promoted continuous improvement initiatives across the department to modernize procurement workflows, resulting in enhanced process efficiency and shortened procurement cycle times.
Manager, Subcontracts
Chugach Government Solutions
Picatinny Arsenal
11.2015 - 01.2017
- Administered complex subcontracts and vendor agreements for Department of Defense construction and base operations support services. By enforcing rigorous performance metrics, subcontractor delivery rates and compliance with prime contract terms were significantly improved.
- Managed the entire contract life cycle for high-value Department of Defense base operations support contracts, ensuring 100% compliance with FAR and DFARS regulations. Through proactive risk assessment and close monitoring of contract deliverables, successfully minimized compliance risks and avoided potential performance penalties.
- Drafted, reviewed, and negotiated complex business agreements, including Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) and Teaming Agreements (TAs), to support strategic bidding efforts. This resulted in streamlined partnership setups and protected proprietary corporate interests during joint proposal developments.
- Led comprehensive proposal efforts by analyzing complex solicitations, finalizing terms and conditions, and conducting pre-award reviews. These strategic efforts consistently secured high-value contract awards while aligning corporate operations with client requirements.
- Implemented robust contract change control processes in partnership with program management and pricing divisions to drive on-contract growth. These proactive adjustments led to significant revenue increases through approved contract modifications and expansions.
- Handled diverse portfolio of contract types including IDIQ, CPAF, CPFF, and FFP structures for complex engineering and base operations services. Tailored management strategies improved administrative efficiency and lowered operational risks.
- Conducted in-depth evaluations of customer solicitation requirements to identify regulatory obligations and assess operational risks under Federal Acquisition Regulations. This meticulous review process prevented non-compliance issues and guaranteed that all submitted bids complied with federal standards.
- Directed preparation and execution of contract negotiations to secure favorable business and financial terms. These efforts resulted in stronger, lower-risk deals and enhanced long-term profitability on federal program awards.
- Advised senior leadership on regulatory compliance matters, including DFARS and agency-specific supplements, to steer strategic proposal decisions. This expert guidance mitigated potential contractual risks and positioned the organization for successful, high-value bid awards.
- Maintained continuous alignment with international trade regulations, FAR requirements, and strict security compliance guidelines across all operations. This rigorous oversight maintained the integrity of classified systems and supported seamless execution of critical defense contracts.
- Established and implemented strategic contract management policies and standardized procedures to improve administrative efficiency across multiple product lines. This optimization reduced contract review cycle times and increased overall productivity of the administrative team.
- Maintained productive relationships with government contracting officers and agency stakeholders to facilitate transparent communication. This dialogue streamlined dispute resolution processes and fostered collaborative partnerships.
- Spearheaded risk mitigation strategies throughout the contract lifecycle, identifying potential liabilities and developing actionable contingency plans. This proactive management model safeguarded corporate assets and ensured steady program execution.
- Mentored junior contracting personnel on advanced negotiation tactics, FAR compliance standards, and efficient lifecycle management practices. This leadership fostered a highly skilled, cohesive team capable of independently managing complex federal contract portfolios.
Acquisition Analyst III
CACI International, Inc
Fort Belvoir
02.2014 - 11.2015
- Managed the end-to-end acquisition lifecycle for a high-priority federal defense program by drafting and staffing critical milestone documentation, including Statement of Work (SOW) and Performance Work Statement (PWS) packages. This rigorous oversight streamlined the procurement process and ensured 100% compliance with DODI 5000.02 and federal acquisition regulations.
- Formulated comprehensive Acquisition Strategies and Simplified Acquisition Management Plans (SAMPs) to guide complex product developments through critical life cycle phases. As a result of these strategic blueprints, the program successfully minimized lifecycle risks and met aggressive delivery timelines for critical maneuver sensor systems.
- Directed the preparation and execution of complex contract negotiations, utilizing expert knowledge of FAR, DFARS, and federal licensing regulations to secure optimal terms. This proactive leadership reduced overall corporate risk exposure and established highly favorable pricing models for post-award execution.
- Led cross-functional teams through intense source selection boards and technical evaluations for multi-million dollar defense contracts. By establishing objective evaluation frameworks, the selection committees minimized protest risks and accelerated contract awards by several weeks.
- Championed implementation of Middle Tier of Acquisition (MTA) rapid prototyping pathways and Other Transaction (OT) authority agreements to expedite fielding schedules, resulting in over thirty percent reduction in procurement cycle times and earlier delivery of technologies to end-users.
- Mentored and guided a team of procurement professionals in mastering the compilation of complex contracting packages, including Data Rights Assertion Tables (DRAT) and Justifications and Approvals (J&A). Under this supportive leadership, team productivity increased and error rates in critical compliance submissions dropped significantly.
- Oversaw contract performance and financial metrics using Project Management Resource Tools (PMRT) to monitor post-award compliance and deliverable status, ensuring strict adherence to budgetary baselines through diligent oversight of Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) and Firm Fixed Price (FFP) structures.
- Coordinated closely with government contracting officers and multi-functional corporate departments to resolve intricate contractual disputes and align program execution with corporate goals. This collaborative approach ensured seamless alignment across engineering, finance, and legal teams, resulting in zero major contract disputes.
- Conducted thorough reviews of complex proposals against stringent solicitation requirements and international trade regulations like ITAR and EAR. These rigorous evaluations ensured that all submitted bids were fully compliant and legally protected against potential regulatory penalties.
- Established robust configuration control processes for all acquisition and contracting documentation to maintain an unbroken audit trail throughout the program life cycle. This initiative improved data accessibility for key stakeholders and reduced document retrieval times during compliance reviews.
- Designed and executed risk mitigation strategies for high-value defense procurements by identifying potential bottlenecks in the supply chain and contract execution. These preventative measures successfully insulated the program from scheduling delays and cost overruns during critical fielding phases.
- Developed training modules on Defense Acquisition System and FAR/DFARS compliance to elevate professional capabilities of junior contract specialists, fostering culture of compliance and enhancing first-time approval rate of acquisition documents.
- Spearheaded continuous improvement initiatives to streamline complex procurement processes and eliminate administrative redundancies across the contract portfolio. By optimizing workflow procedures, the contract management team achieved a significant reduction in administrative lead time for new contract actions.
Contract Specialist
Army Contracting Command
Picatinny Arsenal
09.2009 - 02.2014
- Led negotiations for high-value programs by employing persuasive communication strategies to resolve resistance from diverse stakeholders. This collaborative approach secured mutually beneficial terms and expedited the overall contract award timeline.
- Drafted and prepared comprehensive solicitation documents incorporating complex Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) and internal agency policies to streamline the procurement process. These efforts successfully minimized compliance risks and ensured all pre-award documentation adhered to strict federal standards.
- Compiled and confirmed all documentation to facilitate complex negotiations and formal contract awards.
- Assembled and verified documentation to support complex negotiations and formal contract awards, ensuring adherence to regulatory guidelines and minimizing administrative errors.
- Prepared acquisition reports, market research findings, and justifications to establish a robust foundation for competitive procurements, consistently justifying sole-source actions and ensuring compliance.
- Managed end-to-end lifecycle of Other Transaction Agreements (OTAs) for rapid prototyping and research initiatives, accelerating technology acquisition to meet urgent technical milestones.
- Authored tailored terms, conditions, and Requests for Prototype Proposals (RPPs) to attract qualified nontraditional defense contractors. This proactive outreach broadened the industrial base and introduced cutting-edge capabilities to the program.
- Evaluated technical and cost proposals using sophisticated cost-price analysis techniques when standard commercial pricing data was unavailable. This rigorous financial scrutiny ensured the organization secured fair and reasonable pricing on advanced research projects.
- Served as a key strategic advisor to program managers and engineers on the feasibility of utilizing OTAs versus traditional FAR-based contracting methods. This expert guidance optimized procurement timelines and aligned contract vehicles with specific technical risks.
- Formulated comprehensive acquisition plans that integrated risk mitigation strategies and complied with trade regulations. These strategies successfully protected organizational interests while fostering robust competition during the bidding process.
- Facilitated continuous improvement initiatives within the contracts department by developing standardized templates for solicitations and modifications. This operational enhancement reduced lead times for contract preparation by fifteen percent.
- Directed negotiation preparation and execution for multi-year contracts to secure favorable pricing structures and robust intellectual property rights. These efforts protected critical technology assets and established highly sustainable long-term partnerships.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Business Administration
Southern New Hampshire University
Skills
- Contract negotiation
- Contract administration
- Regulatory compliance
- Procurement strategy
- Risk management
- Vendor management
- Acquisition strategy
- Proposal evaluation
- FAR/DFARS
- Market research
- Program execution
- Conflict resolution
Timeline
Senior Manager, Contracts
L3Harris Technologies, Inc
10.2022 - Current
Division Chief, Administrative Contracting Officer
Defense Contract Management Agency
08.2019 - 10.2022
Branch Chief, Supervisory Contracting Officer
Army Contracting Command
01.2017 - 08.2019
Manager, Subcontracts
Chugach Government Solutions
11.2015 - 01.2017
Acquisition Analyst III
CACI International, Inc
02.2014 - 11.2015
Contract Specialist
Army Contracting Command
09.2009 - 02.2014
Bachelor of Science - Business Administration
Southern New Hampshire University