Leona Charles

About

Seasoned professional with over 15 years of experience in project management, acquisition and federal procurement reporting. She has proven experience in developing diversity goals in contracting and commercial departments, managing and developing diversity program reviews, policy implementation, advocacy, and strategic research. Key skills include: training, organizing, conducting analysis of organizational and projects, public speaking and staff development. She supported a broad spectrum of clients including the manufacturing industry in the United Kingdom, the US Department of Defense and US nonprofit organizations.

Experience

• Owner, President/CEO · SPC Consulting2008

  As the Owner and President/CEO of SPC Consulting, an 8(A), WOSB, DBE/MBE SB I am responsible for overseeing all business operations, strategic planning, program management, company growth, contract compliance and client relations. Our core offerings include: Full lifecycle grants and contracts administration: From inception to close-out, we streamline the entire process for optimal performance. Compliance and reporting: We ensure your organization remains compliant with all federal, state, and local regulations. Program management for outreach and assistance programs: Providing full-service support and oversight. Technical assistance and training: Helping your team stay informed and effective through tailored educational programs. Policy/regulatory analysis and guidance: Ensuring your strategies are aligned with evolving regulations. Procurement staff augmentation: Temporary staffing solutions to meet short- or long-term needs. Budgeting, financial management, and close-out services: Securing your projects' financial health. Contract negotiations: Expert support in securing favorable terms for your contracts.

• PSC Deputy Contract Manager · PAE11-01-2021 – 06-01-2022

  ● Served as the Acting Contracts Manager, administered contract, subcontractor, policy and regulatory compliance for the contracting portfolio. ● Full lifecycle contract management for over 100 monthly contract actions. ● Managed 7 USAID BHA offices/Divisions portfolio consisting of 5 Team Leads and 44 contract specialists while overseeing contracting actions for 7 USAID BHA offices/Divisions. ● Oversaw enterprise-wide procurement system process improvement. ● Oversight and management of portfolio contract actions, team training and professional development, policy interpretation and analysis, external portfolio updates and training and issue resolution. ● Managed and monitored the contracts process for the agency portfolio, including serving as the primary point of contact. ● Developed policy, administrative, and document standard operating procedures related to contract life-cycle actions. ● Oversaw the administration of staff performance evaluations and ensured the compliance of vendor performance evaluations. ● Ensured the contract complied with FAR, ADS and ADAIR regulations, laws, standards, and procedures. ● Development the development and implementation of acquisition improvement strategies. ● Development and implementation of the usage of standard contract template language and updates as required by the AAPD and FAR.

• PSC Team Lead · PAE05-01-2020 – 10-01-2021

  ● Management and oversight of a large and diverse team mixture of a team of 18 mid- and junior level contract specialists and five mid-level deputy managers. ● Increased pre-award regulatory compliance and legal sufficiency by 35%. ● Developed the solicitation quality control protocols and award evaluation policy. ● Developed the interpretation and guidance of the DFARS, FAR, ADS and ADAIR regulations for internal and external stakeholders. ● Oversight of the leadership, performance, professional development of staff and internal, large, complex and cross-functional initiatives. ● Counseled and worked closely with technical representatives throughout the acquisition pre-award process and developed IP requirements as needed. ● Served as technical expert in advising source selection committees, determining rights usage determining market valuations, developing programmatic templates and standard operating procedures, programmatic policy, and committee issues resolution. ● Developed and presented over 50 project reports and informational presentations to senior leadership for clients and government points of contact. ● Oversaw the enterprise-wide development, implementation and integration of a new procurement dashboard and system. ● Represented the acquisitions team to cross-functional government and client senior leadership and external stakeholders for investigations and queries. ● Led status and accountability meetings with government and client senior leadership. ● Portfolio management for 7 USAID divisions. ● Developed organization wide procurement training and compliance materials, created team training frameworks and sufficiency testing modules. ● Single point of contact data calls and outcomes.

• Contract Administrator · DC Government12-01-2016 – 07-01-2017

  Prepared and analyzed a combined procurement budget of $300M. Developed complex RFPs, NOFAs, RFIs, and Sole Source justifications for IT, engineering, construction, and professional services. Oversaw management of RFIs, RFBs, and RFPs, participated in Technical Evaluation Panels, and guided cross-functional procurement teams.

• Supplier Diversity Program Manager · Southern Maryland Electrical Cooperative01-01-2015 – 12-01-2015

  Increased the percentage of diverse suppliers from 3.42% to 9.25% in 8 months. Oversaw management of RFIs, RFBs, and RFPs for departmental buyers. Created and implemented the Supplier Diversity Council, managed compliance with federal and state contract requirements, and developed diverse bidder plans.

Education

• The University of Texas at San AntonioBA, Criminal Justice
• University of PhoenixMBA, Business Administration

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