Darlene Bennett

Senior Acquisition and Contract Management Professional with 25+ years of experience leading complex, multi-million-dollar federal procurements across the full acquisition lifecycle. Specialized in FAA Acquisition Management System (AMS) and federal procurement environments, with extensive experience supporting mission-critical programs, including navigation and national airspace initiatives. Proven ability to manage high-value contract portfolios, develop acquisition strategies, and deliver compliant, audit-ready procurement documentation.

Trusted advisor to leadership, Contracting Officers, and program stakeholders.

Active Interim Top

Secret clearance with SCI eligibility.

Senior Acquisition & Contract Management Analyst - Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) - Washington, D.C.

(2023-04)

Lead complex, multi-million-dollar acquisition efforts supporting FAA Navigation Programs under the AMS framework. Serve as a senior advisor on procurement strategy, compliance, and execution across mission-critical navigation initiatives.

• Manage end-to-end acquisition lifecycle activities, ensuring compliance with AMS policy, financial regulations, and program milestones.
• Lead development and oversight of acquisition artifacts including SOWs, PWSs, SSJs, Business Cases, CFO Memos, SIRs, and evaluation documentation.
• Support NAVTAC II bridge extensions and NAVTAC III acquisition planning, contributing to high-value, mission-critical contract actions.
• Conduct cost-benefit analyses and lifecycle assessments for large-scale navigation programs.
• Develop IGCEs, SOOs, SONs, and acquisition strategies aligned with program objectives and funding constraints.
• Advise stakeholders and Contracting Officers on procurement risks, cost variances, and compliance issues.
• Utilize AI-enabled tools to enhance document management, workflow automation, and acquisition data analytics.
• Manage procurement tracking systems and financial reporting using PRISM, Delphi, and Oracle to monitor obligations, UDOs, and funding execution.
• Maintain contract repositories and ensure audit readiness through eDOCS and SharePoint alignment.
• Coordinate FOIA responses, ensuring compliance with disclosure requirements and proper redaction.

Contract Specialist / Buyer - U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Office of Inspector General (OIG) - Washington, D.C.

(2021-09 - 2022-08)

Executed full-spectrum acquisition support across pre-award and post-award phases, ensuring compliance with FAR and agency procurement policies.

• Led preparation of acquisition documentation including SOWs, PWSs, JOFOCs, and IGCEs.
• Managed procurement requests in PRISM and ensured accuracy of financial and contractual data.
• Facilitated acquisition strategy meetings aligning procurement actions with mission, schedule, and budget.
• Executed contract awards, modifications, and closeouts in IAS and reported actions in FPDS-NG.
• Conducted market research using GSA eLibrary, SAM.gov, and GWAC platforms to identify vendors and evaluate pricing.
• Supported small business utilization goals (8(a), HUBZone, WOSB) through strategic sourcing recommendations.
• Maintained contract files in SharePoint ensuring compliance, version control, and audit readiness.

Program & Contract Management Specialist - U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) – NOAA & Census Bureau - Silver Spring, MD

(2006-12 - 2020-12)

Provided cradle-to-grave acquisition and program management support for multi-million-dollar federal programs. Served as a key liaison between leadership, HR, and acquisition teams.

• Managed acquisition planning, contract administration, and financial oversight for contracts, grants, and cooperative agreements.
• Led Federal Register Issue Advisory (IA) processes from initiation through final approval and executive routing.
• Conducted market research and proposal evaluations to support procurement decisions and vendor selection.
• Monitored contract funding, identified variances, and implemented corrective actions.
• Developed agency-wide acquisition SOPs to standardize processes and improve operational efficiency.
• Served as Acting Chief of Staff, overseeing time and attendance, travel approvals, invoice processing, and funding realignments.
• Chaired Technical Review Boards and provided selection recommendations and award justifications.
• Advised leadership on acquisition strategy, procurement tracking, and program execution.
• Coordinated cross-functional teams to support acquisition planning and reporting.

Bachelor of Science - Legal Studies - University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC)

Undergraduate Certificate - Leadership and Ethics - University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC)

Certificate - Artificial Intelligence and Career Empowerment - University of Maryland, Robert H. Smith School of Business