Candace Garcia Medina

Candace Garcia Medina

Procurement Agent II - IPT Lead

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  • Timeline

  • About me

    Chief of the Contracting Office | Government Contracting

  • Education

    • Strayer University

      -
      Bachelor's degree Business Administration and Management, General
  • Experience

    • Boeing

      Oct 2001 - May 2005
      Procurement Agent II - IPT Lead

      Responsible for the administration, monitoring, and tracking of 30+ subcontracts (FFP, FP/LOE and T&M) for a specific NGA program. Acted as an authorized agent with responsibility for managing all supplier-related activities and the authority to commit company resources through contracts and agreements. Worked with internal customers to understand, integrate, and assure documentation of requirements. Developed requests for quotations and proposals, reviewed supplier responses, negotiated awards, and maintained contracts for the management of the relationship between the company and suppliers. Managed supplier performance and ensured satisfactory contract completion. Integrated activities with internal and external customers and suppliers to fulfill contract requirements. Prepared, negotiated and definitized subcontracts, including terms and conditions, Statement of Work and price with subcontractors. Prepared and negotiated teaming agreements and memorandums of agreement. Prepared and issued work authorization documents. Monitored funding & invoicing. Ensured compliance with export regulations and international traffic in arms regulations. Maintained contractual records/files. Trained new employees on Boeing policies, procedures and ARS procurement system. Show less

    • Integrity Applications Incorporated

      May 2005 - Sept 2008
      Contract Administrator

      Responsible for all cradle to grave service contracting activities for a growing, dynamic small business. Service contract types included T&M, CPAF, CPFF, and FFP. Utilized FAR and DFAR regulations on a daily basis. Performed contract negotiation, proposal development to include assistance with BOE’s, all pricing functions, developing rates, profitability spreadsheets and cost analysis, scrutinized RFP requirements and terms and conditions. Responsible for all program control functions to include budgeting, forecasting, approving invoices, monitoring funding levels and ceilings, all monthly reporting for internal and external customers and setting up charge numbers in the accounting system. Administered, negotiated and monitored performance of assigned service contracts and provided timely direction to the organization regarding contract requirements and maintained the contracts in the Deltek GCS accounting system. Prepared and negotiated teaming agreements, MOA’s and NDA’s. Prepared and issued work authorization documents (ATPs & Letter Contracts). Managed multiple subcontractors on prime efforts to ensure performance and satisfactory contract completion. Assisted the company in establishing security support services for other small companies, developed the security rates and assisted in advertisement. Negotiated and established the company’s GSA Schedules (PES & IT). Show less

    • RAYTHEON TECHNICAL SERVICES CO LLC

      Sept 2008 - Jan 2010
      Contracts Manager

      Responsible for multiple, high dollar value contracts (T&M, CPAF, CPIF, CPFF, FFP and FP/LOE) with full range of pre-award and post-award activities for international and domestic service contracts. Provided senior review on all proposals related to my portfolio and for competitive acquisitions served on proposal review teams to ensure compliance with the RFP, regulatory requirements, and corporate policy Directly assisted in improving award fee scores from DHS/TSA for an airport screening services program in Key West, Florida. Prior to my arrival Raytheon had received an extremely low score, but within six months of my support the score was increased by over 50%. Traveled frequently to former Soviet Union and Russia to negotiate service proposals, support PMR’s and other meetings as required. Assisted Raytheon Moscow office in resolving over $2M in unbilled labor costs and directed the company towards resolution of major issues in Azerbaijan including a $2M ratification, millions in cost growth and successfully negotiated an undefinitized contract action. Supported the establishment of policies and procedures for the contract management function, monitored operational performance in line with corporate objectives and assisted the Director of Contracts in the timely preparation of management and financial reports. Provided solid advice and counsel to program managers, program support staff and senior technical leadership on contractual matters. Led contract negotiations for assigned contracts. Performed risk assessment of proposal/contract terms and conditions formulated and executed strategies to minimize potential risks to the company. Participated in customer PMR meetings. Maintained assigned contracts in the SAP accounting system. Prepared and negotiated teaming agreements, MOA’s and NDA’s. Acted as the primary liaison for Government Contracting Officers, DCMA and DCAA for all assigned contracts. Generated and maintained all assigned contract files. Show less

    • Defense Threat Reduction Agency

      Jan 2010 - Nov 2012
      Contract Specialist

      Supported the Biological Threat Reduction program in the former Soviet Union. Responsible for multiple, ID/IQ task order service contracts (CPAF, CPFF and FFP) that ranged from $3M to $160M with full range of pre-award and post-award activities. While only being with the Defense Threat Reduction Agency for one month, executed a critical Pakistan MIPR that was on an accelerated track and achieved award (within twelve working days) forty-three days ahead of the estimated contract lead time while multi-tasking other major contracting activities. Assisted Contracting Officer and Program Office in developing acquisition strategy for the construction of a Central Reference Laboratory (CRL) in Tbilisi, Georgia and construction renovations for a CRL in Baku, Azerbaijan. Briefed Team Lead, Branch Chief and Division Chief on a regular basis regarding assigned workload. Independently administered, negotiated and monitored performance of assigned international service contracts, handled complex issues and utilized FAR and DFAR regulations on a daily basis. Recipient of the DTRA Fourth Quarter Award in 2010 and the Director’s Civilian of the Year, Mid-Level Award in 2010. Show less

    • United States Department of the Army

      Sept 2011 - Mar 2012
      Contracting Officer

      Contingency Contracting Officer within the deployed theater of operations of Phoenix Regional Contracting Center, Camp Phoenix, Afghanistan. Held a $10M warrant. Executed and administered 119 Firm Fixed Price service contracts valued at $39.7M in support of 12,000 US and Coalition forces within the Kabul Base Cluster area. Awarded a $3M theater-wide hazardous material recycle contract that rapidly removed waste streams at 26 locations and provided for reutilization of used oil and batteries throughout Afghanistan. Briefed contract status of the waste recycle contract to the Senior Contracting Official Afghanistan (General Blake) and other senior officials on a regular basis. Crafted a $15M life support services contract that supplied an array of critical services and reduced lead times by 50 percent. Performed full range of acquisition functions from acquisition planning; soliciting, negotiation, contract award, contract administration and contract close out. Performed terminations for default and convenience as needed. While deployed, successfully closed out 50+ service contracts. Evaluated price proposals for FAR and RFP compliance. Served as the Information Management Officer for General Blake, Senior Contracting Official Afghanistan while managing a heavy contracting workload. Initiated over 125 trouble tickets to support elements to mitigate lost communication services to over 50 contracting professionals. At the request of General Blake traveled to other contracting centers within Afghanistan to perform PMR reviews to assist contracting organizations in making continuous improvements in their acquisition process. Conducts annual surveillance of Contracting Officer Representatives documentation/files to ensure proper execution of duties. Recipient of the Joint Civilian Service Commendation Award in 2012. Show less

    • Marine Corps Systems Command

      Nov 2012 - May 2020

      Supported the Program Executive Officer (PEO) Land Systems (LS) Ground Based Air Defense (GBAD) an Acquisition Category (ACAT) II program. Held an unlimited warrant and a $100M Other Transaction Authority (OTA) warrant. Stood up a new contracting office consisting of 4 Contract Specialists and 1 Contracting Officer. Responsible for awarding two major contract efforts for Program Support and New Equipment Training, two contracts for Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems Component Support and three Indefinite Delivery / Indefinite Quantity (ID/IQ) for Engineering, Logistics and Program Support totaling over $50M. Received the Commander’s Excellence in Program Management Award in 2019. Received the Commendation for Meritorious Civilian Service in 2020 for leading all contracting efforts for the $198M, two vendor competition, resulting in the down-selection for procurement of the Marine Corps Low Rate Initial Production ACV Increment 1 vehicles. Show less Team Lead and Contracting Officer position which supported the #1 priority for the Marine Corps Commandant under PEO LS Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV) a major weapon system ACAT I program. This position required close coordination with finance, DCMA, logistics, engineering and testing. Held an unlimited warrant. Provided feedback to leadership on personnel assigned to my team to include Contracting Officer’s Representatives and provided input for performance evaluations. Conducts interviews for vacant Contract Specialist positions in accordance with Marine Corps guidelines. Set up team training as necessary to train on topics such as reading disclosure statements, formulating business clearance memorandums, conducting cost/price techniques, and evaluating subcontracting plans against contractual goals. From November 2014 – November 2015 worked closely with the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy (DASN AP) and Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) to formulate and execute an innovative acquisition strategy for award of a multibillion-dollar hybrid contract consisting of Fixed Price Incentive Firm (FPIF), Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) and Firm Fixed Price (FFP) CLINs to provide an Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV) for the Marine Corps utilizing the best value trade off method. Educated junior Contract Specialists on Cost/Price analysis techniques. Evaluated proposals received for FAR, DFAR, NMCARS and RFP compliance. Communicated performance expectations to Contract Specialists and provided feedback. Received the Commander’s Excellence in Contract Management Award in 2016 and the Commander’s Innovation Award in 2015. Received the Department of the Navy’s Meritorious Civilian Service Award in 2018. Nominated for the Department of the Navy’s 2018 Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment Award. Show less Lead Contract Specialist supporting the PEO LS Heavy Tactical Vehicles. Primarily served as the Senior Contract Specialist by planning and directing work load activities on the Logistics Vehicle System Replacement (LVSR) program. LVSR contract consisted of manufacturing vehicles, engineering, logistics support services, and Field Service Representatives. Responsible for 2 large ID/IQ FFP type contracts with full range of post-award activities. Briefed Team Lead as needed regarding assigned workload. Independently administered, negotiated and monitored performance of assigned contracts, handled complex issues, and utilized FAR, DFAR and NMCARS regulations on a daily basis. Prioritized tasks and workloads in order of importance. Mentored mid and junior contracting personnel and focused on program targets and achievements. Trained mid and junior contract specialists on various methods for conducting price/cost analysis. Provided solid advice and counsel to program managers, program support staff and senior technical leadership on contractual matters. Managed highly complex and visible source selection valued at $15.6M for the ACV Market Research Database program and briefed SSEB results to senior leaders. In support of the ACV source selection, responsible for overseeing two technical teams, a past performance team and independently managed a cost/price team consisting of two contract specialists and a cost/price analyst. Participated in customer PMR’s and IBR’s as needed. Show less

      • Supervisory Contracting Officer / Agreements Officer

        Jul 2018 - May 2020
      • Team Lead Contracting Officer

        Nov 2014 - Jul 2018
      • Lead Contract Specialist

        Nov 2012 - Nov 2014
    • National Guard Bureau

      Jun 2020 - now
      Chief of the Contracting Office

      Responsible for the oversight of ~250 active contracts valued at ~$2.5 billion consisting of supplies and services for the Army National Guard, Air National Guard and Joint Staff. Holds an unlimited warrant. Supervises a 50+ geographically dispersed team. Spearheaded the acquisition and logistics approach for ~26K service members from 28 states and two territories within two weeks to support the 46th Presidential Inauguration and Civil Unrest and received recognition from the Chief of the National Guard Bureau. This included air and land transportation, lodging, personal protective gear, and contractor support for ancillary critical needs. Leads and mentors acquisition personnel and requiring activities/mission partners in developing acquisition documents to include; but not limited to, SOWs, SOOs, PWS, QASP, Acquisition Strategies/Plans, Market Research Reports, IGCEs, and Request for Quotes/Proposals (RFP/RFQ). Developed and led the implementation of a robust acquisition training curriculum for NGB customers resulting in over 750 employees being trained in FY23. Implemented an internal controls process for the Division requiring peer reviews at certain levels (KO, Branch Chief and CoCO) depending on risk of the requirement, complexity and dollar value. This peer review process resulted in all low-risk ratings during an FY23 Procurement Management Review (PMR), a first ever for this office which had previously received marginal and high-risk ratings prior to my arrival at NGB. Actively directed and received a validated manpower study to resource 14 additional permanent civilian positions for the division. Provides contract status updates for at risk efforts to General Officers at the two through four-star level across the NGB. Extensive experience with FAR, DFARS and AFARS. Recipient of the NGB Diamond Award for “Outstanding Contracting Performance” in 2021. Show less

  • Licenses & Certifications

    • Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement (DAWIA)

      Department of Defense
      Sept 2013