Monica Padron-Harris

https://www.linkedin.com/in/monicapadronharris/

Ph: (802) 734-2859

Email: monica.harris@theprocurementpros.com

Website: The Procurement Pros – Your Acquisition Nerds

Have you ever wondered what it was like to be on the "inside" of the Federal Acquisition decision makers? As someone who has over 30+ years as a self-acclaimed "acquisition nerd" there's no better place to learn than from someone who not only was on the "inside" of both the technical panel advisor AND the Contracting Officer source selection authority but also wrote the "playbook"!

The Revolutionary FAR overhaul (RFO) has flipped the script and the "playbook" has been rewritten! Business Development and Capture has been turned upside down and the GovCon space has changed forever. The world has changed to now limit competition WITHOUT the Contracting Officer having to provide the RFQ/P to everyone that requests. BIG CHANGE! Do you want to learn how to get the "invite" and have the opportunity to bid on a requirement? Then you've landed in the right place!

I recently retired (Nov 2024) from DHS USCIS as a Sr. IT Acquisition Advisor supporting the Office of Technology (OIT) and the Office of Contracting (OCON). I was responsible for preparing and identifying the most effective procurement strategies for OIT’s portfolio. This included determining the evaluation factors, contract vehicle, business size (full and open or set aside), authoring the RFI questions and answers, and preparing the procurement documentation to support the decision. This included the evaluation plan, market research, Independent Government Cost Estimate (IGCE), and Acquisition Plan approvals. I also served as a technical advisor SME on the source selection panels.

As an IT acquisition consultant with over 30 years of experience in a variety of Federal agencies (21 years at DoD/Navy), I specialize in identifying strategic acquisition targets and understanding the federal contracting marketplace, specifically within DHS. I spent the last 12+ years at USCIS as a Contracting Officer, Sr. Procurement Analyst (Policy), and Sr. IT Acquisition Advisor to the senior leadership team within OIT and the Office of Contracting. I have intimate knowledge of the industry landscape within the DMV and specifically within DHS.