APRIL M. GONZALES
Arlington
Summary
- Career Department of Defense Civilian with over 16 years of cumulative service (6 years in Contracting Career Field)
- Contracting Officer Warrant: Limited NTE $25M for Procurement (2024 - present)
- Contracting Certification Professional
- Security Clearance: Top Secret / SCI / SAP
- Supervisory Experience: First Level (Aug 2021-Jan 2023)
- Qualifications: Contracting (operational, construction, services, specialized and systems), Contract Award, Strategic Acquisition collaboration and definition, Strategic Planning, Influencing/Negotiating, Problem Solving, management & budget analysis, manpower and personnel, and process improvement.
- Significant experience in providing support to leadership and analyzing needs in areas of organizational management, and providing evaluations and advisements on the impact of policies, plans, and operations.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Contracting Officer, NH-III
Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office
08.2024 - Current
- Led negotiation processes for contract terms, ensuring compliance with regulations and organizational policies.
- Developed and implemented procurement strategies to enhance operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
- Analyzed vendor performance metrics to inform decision-making and improve supplier relationships.
- Oversaw contract administration activities, ensuring timely execution and adherence to contractual obligations.
- Managed risk assessment for contracts, identifying potential liabilities and developing mitigation strategies to protect organizational interests.
- Proactively addressed potential disputes or conflicts within contracts, working closely with legal counsel when necessary to resolve matters in a timely fashion.
- Facilitated effective communication between stakeholders throughout the contracting process, ensuring smooth execution of projects from inception to completion.
- Systems Contracting, specific programs are classified. 2 ACAT I equivalent Major Defense Acquisition Programs
Contracting Officer, GS-1102-14
Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Contracts Management Office, Services Division
01.2023 - Current
- Provides cross divisional support to Prototypes Division Other Transaction acquisition for the Tactical Technology Office’s Space-BACN program, reviewed Phase 2 proposal, advised technical program POCs on milestones, performed value analysis with significant cost share elements, coordinated with both performer and technical program clients to get the Phase 2 effort awarded at end of FY23.
- Actively involved in the acquisition planning processes for DARPA’s services portfolio including Physical Security, Comptroller Services Support, and follow-on SETA task orders set to be awarded on the TASS 2 multiple award IDIQ. Regularly collaborates with support offices’ taking into account their unique internal processes, management and communication styles and personalities. Routinely provide sound business advice to requirements owners to determine appropriate, streamlined, and efficient acquisition strategies.
- Currently serves as contracting officer with a limited $25M warrant for procurement contracts and a limited $1M for grants, cooperative agreements, and other transactions. Independently monitors contract performance, changes, deliverables, schedules, and financial status of all contracts in my services portfolio. Additionally, finds unique solutions to adverse contract performance issues within DARPA’s support services contracts.
- Serves as the principal acquisition representative for technical office’s SETA support task orders including I2O and BTO. Additionally serves as the principal contracting officer managing the $740M JHU/APL UARC IDIQ as well as specific technical office task orders for BTO, I2O, and STO.
- Served as member of source selection team for DARPA’s TASS2 $1.25B Multiple Award IDIQ, past performance evaluator and also assisted with the source selection documentation through GC reviews bringing past source selection experience. Additionally, informally peer reviewed fellow KO source selection documentation and provided additional feedback to ensure proper documentation through GC and HCA reviews.
- Routinely meets with senior management to relay significant actions, anticipated acquisition strategies and potential issues requiring management and/or General Counsel involvement.
- Manages KO workload and performs contract management using DIA(Monitor), PIEE, eSRS, SAM.gov, BAAM, eTriever, SPS/PD2, Matremost and other DARPA specific tools and websites.
- Regularly maintains continuous learning through training courses, professional activities, attendance at conferences, and speaking to maintain DoD education requirements to include DARPA’s PM Orientation, OT Training, OT Corners, DARPA Wide special subject training, and CMO offsite trainings.
Branch Chief, Supervisory Contract Specialist, NH-1102-03
US Space Force, SSC, Small Launch, Contracting Division
08.2021 - 01.2023
- First level supervisor to 3 Contract Specialists, providing guidance, organization of workload, career mentorship, and providing constructive feedback. Responsible for briefing HCA and Chief of Contracting Office for Launch on portfolio of Small Launch Division, developing communications plans to Space Force Senior Procurement Executive and Space Systems Command Program Executive Officer for high visibility, high value, high risk launch services. Contracting officer for Tactically Responsive Space Launch Services and National Reconnaissance Office L-174 Mission, and the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center MK-21A, MK-21B, MK-21-2 Missions. Contracting Officer for On-Ramp source selection for the Sounding Rocket Program-4, an $877M multiple award IDIQ and Orbital Services Program-4, a $986M multiple award IDIQ.
- Primary Contracting Officer for Indemnification packages staffed to OSD for Small Launch Division coordinating with Space Force Safety, DCMA Safety, contractor insurance providers and OSD.
- Procuring and Administrative Contracting Officer in support of Rocket Systems Launch Program to include space launch service contracts/task orders, mission assurance IV&V contracts, aging surveillance, and spacecraft enhancement contracts/task orders. Plans, develops and establishes the acquisition strategy for the overall program, functions as the lead negotiator throughout the process. Establishes milestones for coordination through functional leadership and support organizations/agencies. Performs post-award functions for complex, high monetary value, long-term acquisitions for small launch and targets, involving a variety of contract types, investigation and resolution of contractor delays, contractor performance appraisals, subcontractor surveillance, disposition of claims, and similar matters.
- Determines appropriate recommendations for unresolved or questionable problems and performs follow-ups. Researches and determines or recommends appropriate actions, provides interpretation of issues that impact organization, installation, command, or agency and prepares detailed responses. Conducts training on various acquisition practices, implement new regulatory requirements, explain policy changes, promulgate lessons learned and clarify procedures.
Contracting Officer, GS-1102-13
377 Mission Support Group Contracting, Services Branch
01.2021 - 08.2021
- Procuring and Administrative Contracting Officer in support of services contracts, portfolio of approximately $43M.
- Procuring Contracting Officer for Kirtland AFB Local Telecommunications Services, Integrated Solid Waste Management, Cloud Services and Ambulance Services. Other service contracts in portfolio were medical services, dental services, transient aircraft services, packing and crating BPAs, and public affairs multimedia services.
- Performs pre-award functions for procurements involving contracts for a variety of services. Plans the overall approach to meet contracting program objectives for procuring a variety of complex requirements.
- Researches, interprets, analyzes, and applies all regulations, business and industry practices, market trends, Government Accountability Office (GAO) and Comptroller General decisions, public law, case law, and precedents.
- Executes post award contracts performance management actions on a group of contracts, such as those with cost reimbursement; and/or those with incentives arrangements.
- Evaluates contractor performance for compliance with terms and conditions of contracts and ensures timely submission of technical progress reports and performance metrics.
GS-1102-12, US Space Force, SMC, Small Launch, Contracting Division
US Air Force COPPER CAP – Contract Specialist, Kirtland AFB, Multiple Rotational Assignments
03.2018 - 01.2021
- Lead Contract Specialist assigned to SMC Priority Rocket Systems Launch Program Mission Assurance Source Selection;
- S225M Single Award Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity; responsible for all administrative duties preparing the source selection documentation for Business Clearance, Contract Clearance, and Award
- Lead Contract Specialist assigned to SMC Spaceport Enhancement Intergovernmental Support Agreement (IGSA) Contracts with State of Alaska and State of Virginia; researched and implemented SAF/AQCE process to utilize IGSA/FAR Part 12 Contract with State Entity for Installation Services for Kodiak Spaceport and Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport Congressional Add priority.
- Lead Contract Specialist assigned to LSMA Bridge contract navigating source selection delays due to COVID-19 Pandemic; responsible for all administrative duties preparing the justification and approval documentation for contract clearance, and award.
- Provides sound business guidance to others on contracting work and prepares correspondence. Represents the interest of the organization in a professional manner in meetings and various contracts outside the agency on a variety of issues that often are not well defined.
GS-1102-11, 377 Mission Support Group Contracting, Construction Branch
377 Mission Support Group Contracting, Construction Branch
05.2018 - 10.2018
- Procuring Contract Specialist assigned to Kirtland Air Force Base Multiple Award Construction Contract (MACC) Source Selection; $95M Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity; Past Performance Team Evaluator; responsible for all administrative duties preparing the source selection documentation for Business Clearance, Contract Clearance, and Award. Award was made ahead of schedule.
- Specialist assigned to Kirtland Air Force Base, AFCP Base Operations Services Task Order, total contract value of $112M; responsible for contract administration and processing full range of contract management to include seeking consideration for technical shortcomings; compliance with the terms and conditions of the contract as written by reviewing and accepting/rejecting Contracting Officer Representative (COR) surveillance reports on a monthly basis in the Contracting Officer Representative tracking (CORT) Tool; ensuring mission essential support to Kirtland AFB and 100+ mission partners
- Managed multiple acquisitions in the 377th Mission Support Group Contracting Construction Branch to include design, design/build, and construction requirements. Utilizes full range of local MACC acquisition vehicle as well as AFICC Strategic Sourcing vehicles. Determine Price Reasonableness and document via Abstract as well as Price Negotiation Memorandum when required. Works closely with our Civil Engineering Office on business advisory and acquisition requirements.
- Prepare contract modifications for reasons such as extension of time, delivery schedule, funding, additional work, and specification changes
GS-1102-09, 377 Mission Support Group Contracting, Commodities Branch
377 Mission Support Group Contracting, Commodities Branch
05.2018 - 10.2018
- Performed the full range of commodity buying to include the development and issuance of commodity solicitations, selecting appropriate clauses, evaluating responses, conducting negotiations and awards
- Analyze proposals for reasonableness, responsiveness, and contractor ability to perform work
- Coordinate with end user personnel to ensure the commodities are technically acceptable
- Responsible for obtaining comprehensive knowledge regarding regulations and procedures in accordance with FAR, DFARS and AFFARS and enhancing market research skills
GS-1102-09, Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center, PZNK Nuclear Enterprise Contracting Branch
Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center, PZNK Nuclear Enterprise Contracting Branch
03.2018 - 05.2018
- Negotiate, prepare awards, and administer task orders IAW established FAR, DFARS, AFFARS, and AFMC contracting laws, regulations, procedures and local policies
- Procuring Contract Specialist assigned to issuing task orders on the National Assessment Group IDIQ (single award); responsible for issuing RFP, analyzing proposals, coordinating technical evaluations, accomplish cost and price analyses to determine price fair and reasonable and determine negotiation position for price negotiation memorandums and managing each task order file cradle to grave
Education
MS - Contract Management
Naval Postgraduate School
01.2022
B.S.B.A. - Management
Oklahoma State University
Stillwater, OK01.2017
Skills
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Problem-solving
- Time management
- Excellent communication
- Adaptability and flexibility
- Decision-making
- Relationship building
- Strategic planning
- Continuous improvement
- Business analysis
- Risk management
- Contract negotiation
Certification
- USAF Supervisory Training
- AF CPI Greenbelt Certified
- Practitioner/Practical Problem-Solving Methods Instructor (LEAN/6Sigma)
- Annual Ethics Training
- Fundamentals of Systems Acquisition Management
- Influence Skills Seminar
- AFNWC Emerging Leadership Program
- Emotional Intelligence Seminar
- Federal Appropriations Law Seminar
Timeline
Contracting Officer, NH-III
Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office
08.2024 - Current
Contracting Officer, GS-1102-14
Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Contracts Management Office, Services Division
01.2023 - Current
Branch Chief, Supervisory Contract Specialist, NH-1102-03
US Space Force, SSC, Small Launch, Contracting Division
08.2021 - 01.2023
Contracting Officer, GS-1102-13
377 Mission Support Group Contracting, Services Branch
01.2021 - 08.2021
GS-1102-11, 377 Mission Support Group Contracting, Construction Branch
377 Mission Support Group Contracting, Construction Branch
05.2018 - 10.2018
GS-1102-09, 377 Mission Support Group Contracting, Commodities Branch
377 Mission Support Group Contracting, Commodities Branch
05.2018 - 10.2018
GS-1102-12, US Space Force, SMC, Small Launch, Contracting Division
US Air Force COPPER CAP – Contract Specialist, Kirtland AFB, Multiple Rotational Assignments
03.2018 - 01.2021
GS-1102-09, Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center, PZNK Nuclear Enterprise Contracting Branch
Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center, PZNK Nuclear Enterprise Contracting Branch
03.2018 - 05.2018
B.S.B.A. - Management
Oklahoma State University
MS - Contract Management
Naval Postgraduate School
EMPLOYMENT CHRONOLOGY
- Jan 2023 – Present, Contracting Officer, Defense Advanced Research Agency Services Division, Arlington, VA
- Aug 2021 – Jan 2023: Branch Chief, Supervisory Contracting Officer, Space Systems Command, Small Launch Division, Kirtland AFB, NM
- Jan 2021 – Aug 2021: Contracting Officer, 377 Mission Support Group, Contracting, Services Branch, Kirtland AFB, NM
- Jan 2020 – Dec 2020: Contract Specialist, USSF, Space and Missile Systems Center, Contracting, Kirtland AFB, NM (Copper Cap Rotation 4; GS- 11/T12, Outplaced October 2020)
- Oct 2018 – Jan 2020: Contract Specialist, 377 Mission Support Group, Contracting, Construction Branch, Kirtland AFB, NM (Copper Cap Rotation 3; GS-11/T12)
- May 2018 – Oct 2018: Contract Specialist, 377 Mission Support Group, Contracting, Commodities Branch, Kirtland AFB, NM (Copper Cap Rotation 2; GS-09/T12)
- Mar 2018 – May 2018: Contract Specialist, Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center, Nuclear Enterprise Contracting Support Branch, Kirtland AFB, NM (Copper Cap Rotation 1; GS-09/T12)
- 2016 – 2017: Management Analyst, Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center, Manpower and Personnel Directorate, Kirtland AFB, NM
- 2015 – 2016: Administrative Assistant, Office of the Assistant Deputy Secretary of the Air Force (Environment, Safety & Infrastructure)/377 Air Base Wing, Kirtland AFB, NM
- 2014 – 2015: (Non-Federal) Senior Financial Analyst, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK
- 2013 – 2014: (Non-Federal) Customer Relations Manager/Sommelier, Stillwater Wine and Spirits Warehouse, Stillwater, OK
- 2011 – 2013: (Non-Federal) Volunteer, Stillwater Public Schools, Stillwater, OK
- 2009 – 2011: (Non-Federal) Volunteer, Casa Grande Elementary Schools, Casa Grande, AZ
- 2006 – 2009: Administrative Assistant-Budget, Air Force Research Laboratory, Edwards AFB, CA
- 2005 – 2006: Management Analyst, 412 Test Wing Commander’s Action Group, Edwards AFB, CA
- 2003 – 2006: Management Assistant, Air Force Research Laboratory, Edwards AFB, CA
- 2000 – 2003: IHRPPT Program Management Assistant, AFRL Contractor - Spiral Technologies, Edwards AFB, CA
Awards
2025 - Department of Defense Creativity in Contracting - Major Defense Acquisition Program Award - AFRCO Team
2025 - SAF/AQ Civilian of the Quarter 1QFY25