Teresa San Nicolas
Garden Grove,CA
Summary
Forward-thinking Administrative Contracting Officer bringing 17 years of expertise in contracting for defense sector businesses. Cultivates rapport with individuals to optimize project goals and output, resolve complex problems and deliver innovative improvement strategies. Proven expertise in negotiations, risk management, compliance (FAR/DFARS), cost analysis, and cross-functional collaboration with engineering, finance, legal, and program teams. Brings a fast-paced, ownership mindset with passion to support the war fighter that aligns with Anduril's emphasis on speed, accountability, and real-world impact.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Administrative Contracting Officer (ACO)
Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA)
06.2015 - Current
- ACO for Boeing programs (ORCA XL unmanned submarine, CSEL, Electro-Static Gyro Navigation, and previously C-17), plus Air Force and DARPA portfolios.
- Manage approximately 272 active contracts valued at over $13B, ensuring performance, compliance, and financial accountability.
- Negotiate pricing and execute complex contract modifications for services, repairs, spares, and provisioned items.
- Apply risk-based surveillance to evaluate contractor systems, processes, and performance.
- Advise internal teams and external partners on contract strategy, regulatory interpretation, and execution challenges.
- Monitor contract expenditures and proactively identify funding risks (overruns/underruns/loss-ratio).
- Resolve delivery, invoicing, and funding issues directly with contractors to maintain mission timelines.
- Appointed Grants / Administrative Agreements Officer.
- Recognized as trusted ACO providing additional portfolio coverage during staffing gaps.
- Impact aligned to Anduril environment: Trusted to make critical decisions, brief senior management on status of contracts/programs, and operate in ambiguity across technically complex defense programs.
Contract Administrator
Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA)
08.2013 - 05.2015
- Administered contracts across multiple contractors from award through closeout.
- Negotiated delivery orders, BOA orders, and IDIQ tasking actions.
- Monitored contractor performance against cost, schedule, and compliance requirements.
- Supported CAS administration and collaborated with legal, audit, engineering, and pricing teams.
- Participated in forward pricing and overhead rate negotiations.
- Engaged regularly with buying activities and contractor leadership to resolve execution challenges.
Contract Specialist
Southwest Regional Maintenance Center
07.2012 - 08.2013
- Administered Cost Plus Award Fee and Incentive contracts for major ship repair programs.
- Negotiated contract modifications for new scope, growth work, and schedule changes.
- Conducted cost and price analysis to support negotiations and fair outcomes.
- Ensured funding integrity and protected government interests while maintaining contractor relationships.
Contract Specialist
Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC)
04.2009 - 06.2012
- Primary contract specialist for Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC) contract valued at $82M.
- Awarded and managed task orders for environmental and facilities programs ($2.5M+).
- Led acquisition planning, solicitation development, proposal evaluation, and negotiations.
- Procured architect-engineer services and administered IDIQ contracts.
- Supported source selection boards, award fee boards, and FOIA processing.
- Executed sole-source actions with well-supported Justifications & Approvals (J&A).
- Completed rigorous internship program consisting of rotational training across pre-award, post-award, construction, and operational contracts.
Assistant Buyer
DFS, LP
09.2007 - 03.2009
- Negotiated pricing and terms with commercial vendors.
- Evaluated supplier performance and financial responsibility.
- Partnered with internal stakeholders to align procurement strategy with business needs.
- Prepared reports, managed purchasing data, and trained junior staff.
Education
Bachelor of Business Administration - Marketing
University of Guam
Guam05.2005
Master of Business Administration - Coursework Completed – 21 Credits
University of Phoenix
Skills
- Federal Contracting (FAR/DFARS) & Compliance
- Negotiation & Deal Structuring
- Cost / Price Analysis & Financial Oversight
- Contract Lifecycle (Pre-Award → Closeout)
- Risk Management & Program Surveillance
- Stakeholder Engagement (Engineering, Finance, Legal, Program)
- High-Value Portfolio Management
- IDIQ, FFP, CPIF, CPAF, BOA, Modifications
- DoD Systems & Tools (PIEE, MOCAS, EDA, WAWF)
Certification
- Negotiating for Better Business Outcomes – University of Virginia (Darden School of Business)
- DAU Certifications: CON 100, 111, 112, 120, 214, 215, 216, 217, 218
- ACQ 101 Fundamentals of System Acquisition Management
Awards & Recognition
Special Act Award (2022), Peer-to-Peer Award (2018) – Provided additional ACO coverage, On-the-Spot Award (2018) – Processed $3.9M payments, closed 28 contracts, executed LOFs, Team Award (2018) – C-17 senior leadership briefings, Multiple On-the-Spot Awards (2017–2018), Certificate of Appointment – Administrative Contracting Officer (2015), Certificate of Recognition – Outstanding JPAC contract performance ($62M)
Timeline
Administrative Contracting Officer (ACO)
Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA)
06.2015 - Current
Contract Administrator
Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA)
08.2013 - 05.2015
Contract Specialist
Southwest Regional Maintenance Center
07.2012 - 08.2013
Contract Specialist
Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC)
04.2009 - 06.2012
Assistant Buyer
DFS, LP
09.2007 - 03.2009
Master of Business Administration - Coursework Completed – 21 Credits
University of Phoenix
Bachelor of Business Administration - Marketing
University of Guam