Project Management Program

Karla P. Somera

**** ********* *****, ********, ******** 20112 808-***-**** ***********@*****.***

Profile

Result-driven program management professional with over 25 years of diverse experience in both military and commercial sectors. Proven track record in leading cross-functional teams, driving project success, and delivering strategic initiatives on time and within budget. Strong analytical and organizational skills complemented by the ability to foster collaboration and enhance stakeholder engagements. Achieve exceptional experiences in navigating clients through a wide variety of tasks and situations to productively develop and submit deliverables in a government environment.

Education

B.s. in Health SCIENCE, healthcare management Trident University international Cypress, CA (03-2012)

Skills & Abilities

Project Management Methodologies

Data Analysis

Effective Communications

Time Management

Microsoft Office Suite

Cost Control

Adaptability

Empathy

Organizational Skills

Client Consulting

Records Management

Prioritization

Problem-Solving

Negotiation

Contract Management

CERTIFICATIONS:

Defense Acquisition University, Fundamentals of Systems Acquisition Management (ACQ101) Section 312, September 2018

ICAgile Certified Professional (ICP), December 2019

Advanced SharePoint 2016, March 2019

Agile Project Management, June 2020

Cooperative Threat Reduction Project Management 1 Sep 2022

Cooperative Threat Reduction Project Management 2 May 2023

Acquisition Training (Economy Act/Financial Management/Cost Estimating/Requirement Definition/Contracting Officer Representative (COR) Supplemental/Planning Simulation) trainings

Completed DTRA Acquisition trainings (72 Hours)

SECURITY CLEARANCE:

Active Top Secret Clearance: Expires 1/2030

Experience

ASRC FEDERAL FORT BELVOIR, VIRGINIA MAY 2024 – May 2025

CONTRACT SPECIALIST

Spearhead drafting, negotiating, and administering contracts and grants totaling over $150M, ensuring full compliance and mitigating organizational risk. Partner with diverse internal and external stakeholders to resolve disputes and oversee the contract lifecycle. Utilize advanced software solutions to optimize workflows, enhance execution efficiency, and secure favorable terms. Drive organizational success through proactive risk management, legal issue resolution, and strategic performance optimization.

·Drafted, reviewed, acquisition documents for contract actions ensuring accuracy and compliance with applicable regulations and organizational policies.

·Utilized various contract management systems that included Consolidated Acquisition Tool (CAT), Procurement Integrated Enterprise Environment (PIEE), the Standard Procurement System (SPS) Procurement Desktop Defense (PD2), Electronic Contract Writing Module (ECWM) and One Note for records repository, to streamline contract creation and compliance monitoring throughout the contract lifecycle.

·Utilized a SharePoint tracking tool to maintain open contract actions to provide real-time status updates and facilitate collaboration among teams.

·Managed a portfolio exceeding $100 Million, overseeing 11 Firm Fixed Price (FFP), Cost plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contracts and grants. Responsible for overseeing deliverables, tracking obligations, and ensuring adherence to terms and conditions.

·Utilized the PIEE module to track and manage procurement actions and enhance visibility into contract performance and deliverables.

·Maintained, updated, and distributed Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) and Grant Officer’s Representative (GOR) Letters.

·Managed proficiently the contracting lifecycle that included the planning, solicitation, evaluation, and contract administration to ensure successful procurement operations and compliance with regulatory standards.

·Resolved contractual disputes, mitigating risks, preserving contractor relationships, and addressing invoicing discrepancies with Department Finance and Accounting Services (DFAS) to ensure accurate and timely vendor payments.

·Fostered collaboration across internal teams, including Contracting Officers, CORs, and GORs to streamline communication and optimize contract lifecycle management.

·Developed a thorough understanding of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), focusing on the principles, process, and compliance requirement to support effective contract management and procurement strategies.

·Delivered high-quality customer service, ensuring clear communication, and prompt resolution of inquiries to enhance client satisfaction and foster positive relationships.

SAWDEY SOLUTION SERVICES LORTON, VIRGINIA NOVEMBER 2021 – MAY 2024

ELECTRONIC INTEGRATED DISEASE SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM (EIDSS) and PATHOGEN ASSET CONTROL SYSTEM (PACS) PROJECT LEAD

Supported a $30M System Software development contract for the EIDSS and PACS portfolio, which provides essential support to the Government Program Manager in various aspects of Program Management to ensure smooth execution of projects by coordinating and facilitating communication, tracking progress, and handling administrative tasks.

·Supported two Government clients to assist with the management of a $30M multi-year contract for system software development, implementation, and sustainment.

·Assisted in tracking the project cost, schedule, and performance by reviewing the project timelines, contract deliverables, and monitor progress within the portfolio.

·Supported internal and external meetings for projects and responsible for high-level notes to capture action items.

·Provided comprehensive software development lifecycle support for biosafety and biosurveillance disease reporting systems.

·Supported the operations of a disease reporting system configuration Control Board (CCB) by assisting in the coordination of meetings, managing documentation, and ensuring compliance with requirements.

·Supported the pre- and post travel logistic support requirements (e.g., travel debrief, trip reports, and Automated Trip Request Information Process (ATRIP), and the Mercury/Threat Reduction Logistics Services (TRLS).

·Participated in user acceptance testing (UAT) for the EIDSS software system, collaborating with stakeholders to validate functionality, identify issues, and ensure the solution met the requirements.

·Collaborated closely with both internal and external stakeholders to ensure effective communication and cooperation.

·Supported the Government on the successful execution of combining two information technology (IT) contracts into one by reviewing acquisition documentation to include; the needs statement, initial strategy session, acquisition strategy review document, statement of work (SOW), technical evaluations, market research reports, quality assurance and surveillance plan, and contract data requirements lists (CDRLs).

·Provided support on the wide range of concepts, principles, and practices in program management which includes project documentation, preparing draft acquisition documents, assisting with technical evaluations, communication, budget, monitoring progress and identifying risk.

·Maintained regular correspondence documentation of all contract deliverables to ensure that Contracting Officer Representative’s project records are complete, up-to-date, and accessible to all stakeholders.

·Supported and analyzed the financial forecasting to ensure the spend plan aligned with project objectives and completed reports with findings to Project Manager and higher echelons for decision making.

As an additional duty from Nov 2021 – Nov 2022- supported the closeout management of a $50M contract for the Scientific and Technical Engagement Partnership (STEP) portfolio. Advise and support the Government program manager in various aspects of the contract activities.

·Supported the Project Manager with the review of the budgeting and evaluation of all of the deliverables to ensure 95% contractual obligations are met according to project timelines, deliverables, and budget.

·Maintained records concerning related contracts and execution (contract deliverables, government-furnished property, etc.).

·Achieved and tracked all final invoices and deliverables to complete documentation required to close out the contract.

Booz Allen Hamilton LORTON, VIRGINIA Nov 2010 – Oct 2021

TRAINING PROJECT COORDINATOR

Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA), Cooperative Threat Reduction (CTR) Biological Threat Reduction Program (BTRP) Jan 2017 – Oct 2021

Managed the day-to-day activities of the Biological Threat Reduction Program’s (BTRP) training portfolio. Responsibilities include capturing training deliverables from 36 countries to measure progress against BTRP metrics, coordinating training material reviews with subject matter experts (SMEs), managing an online training material repository.

·Worked with over 36 BTRP International Country Managers and Government contractors to meet training operations objectives.

·Gathered stakeholder requirements to support high-visibility training portfolio process improvements.

·Analyzed data to strengthen process improvements to support internal and external documents in the execution of program management tasks.

·Integrated All Partner Access network (APAN) with Government-Furnished Information/Material to establish a collaborative online repository for future use by implementers and collaborators.

·Spearheaded with Acquisition, Technical, and Logistics SMEs to introduce and incorporate the BTRP Domain, Competency, and Proficiency (DCP) framework into Statements of Work (SOWs) and Contract Data Requirement Lists (CRDLs).

·Overhauled and designed three individual SharePoint sites to serve as one-stop shops for the Training, Metrics, and Assessment portfolios.

·Established new Training Operating guidelines, created over 10 associated one-pagers, and slick sheets to communicate the new processes.

·Served as the BTRP Records Administrator to ensure compliance with the National Archives and Records Administration guidance.

·Strengthened the annual Metrics Validation Workshop for 36 countries by updating the Country Metrics Summary scores report, and conducting quality review of the final product for leadership review.

·Managed the logistics support to over 150 attendees to a Weapons of Mass Destruction high-level exercise conference in an international setting.

As an additional duty, supported the STRATEGY AND PLANS RECORDS MANAGEMENT as the project specialist to collaborate with BTRP country teams to assess existing processes and recommend improvements.

·Establish a new process of records management for BTRP’s Training Materials.

·Attained new process flows to minimize by 50% the coordination time of material reviews.

·Spearheaded the development of the new BTRP personnel in processing of personnel.

·Enhanced and continuously analyzed the Country Prioritization tool of 36 countries to provide data reports to senior leadership for decision-making.

CTR LOGISTICS SERVICES (CLS) PROJECT LEAD

Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA), Cooperative Threat Reduction (CTR) Program, Project Analyst - Aug 2015 – Sept 2016

Monitored and managed all travel requests and analyzed cost estimates and spending trends, developed reports, and deployed new processes to ensure policy compliance.

·Coordinated travel logistics and technical support on a $99.5M Government contract ensuring smooth and efficient travel logistics.

·Analyzed travel requirements and cost estimates for 700+ trips per year to facilitate informed decision-making and optimize travel budget utilization.

·Monitored subcontractor CDRL reports for compliance with contractual travel requests and promptly addressed any discrepancies or issues that arose during the monitoring process.

·Compiled and analyzed financial reports carefully examining key financial data to identify trends, variances, and potential areas for improvement.

·Spearheaded the development and implementation of the inaugural process for vetting international participants in support of Export Compliance regulations.

·Managed the cell phone loan program for international travelers and coordinated closely with vendors to maintain an inventory of cell suitable for international uses.

·Developed presentations in support of the project during program management reviews.

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT TO CTR DIRECTOR

Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA), Cooperative Threat Reduction (CTR) Program, Executive Assistant - Mar 2009 – Aug 2015

Provided comprehensive administrative support to the CTR Director and a team of over 300 administrative personnel that includes six direct reports. Reviewed and filed sensitive and confidential documents for records on all personnel actions. Managed multiple calendars, monitored taskers, gathered meeting agendas, and organized conference calls. Coordinated domestic and international travel plans, prepared expense reports, and validated reimbursements.

·Executed high visibility, detailed administrative actions including drafting correspondence, planning executive travel, and coordinating senior management appointments on the Director’s calendar.

·Used the Defense Travel System (DTS) to process Temporary Duty (TDY) orders and vouchers.

·Ensured staff followed written material policy guidelines for high-ranking officials.

·Manage the incoming and outgoing communications on behalf of the CTR director.

·Organized and maintained files, records, and databases to ensure easy access and retrieval of information.

·Liaised with internal and external stakeholders to maintain positive relationships and communication.

·Assisted with managing the day-to-day operations of the director office that included IT Support and any administrative task as needed.

·Prioritized tasks and managed competing deadlines to ensure the Director time was optimized and key responsibilities were met efficiently.

·Contributed to a new comprehensive 32-hour Administrative Program Assistant training course.

VOLUNTEER WORK

Booz Allen Hamilton Latin American Network (LAN) Multicultural Business Resource Group (BRG) Committee Member

The LAN provides a platform for Hispanics/Latin American Booz Allen employees to enhance their career through professional development, social, cultural, and community Outreach activities. As a member of the Community Engagement team, I support by spreading awareness of volunteer activities through the organization.

·Generate ideas to support Volunteerism.

·Collaborate with Committee members on fundraising and brainstorming ideas to improve collaboration within the BRG’s.

·Spread Awareness for the LAN Mission through Booz Allen Hamilton Media.

·Support the scheduling of the Hispanic Heritage month (Sept 15-Oct 15).

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