Albert Gatica

Albert Gatica serves as a Contracting Officer responsible for managing the acquisition of specialized burial caskets under federal procurement regulations. In this role, he ensures compliance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), particularly in executing competitive and transparent procurement processes that meet agency mission requirements. His portfolio is exclusively focused on NAICS 339995 — Burial Casket Manufacturing — making him a specialist in the procurement of funeral service products for federal use. He oversees the full acquisition lifecycle, from market research and solicitation development to contract award and administration, ensuring all transactions align with statutory and regulatory mandates. While specific contractor names are not publicly available, Gatica consistently engages with a network of manufacturers certified under small business programs, fostering long-term vendor partnerships grounded in reliability, quality assurance, and adherence to federal specifications. His contracting approach emphasizes open competition within the small business sector, prioritizing vendors capable of meeting stringent federal standards for materials, craftsmanship, and delivery timelines. Gatica maintains a 100% Total Small Business Set-Aside preference across all acquisitions, reflecting a deep institutional commitment to socioeconomic contracting goals under FAR Part 19. He actively promotes equitable access for small businesses, ensuring that no contract is awarded to a large business unless explicitly justified under exceptional circumstances. His patterns demonstrate unwavering support for small business participation, particularly for firms that may be 8(a), HUBZone, or Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) certified. His technical expertise lies exclusively in the burial casket manufacturing sector, where he applies detailed knowledge of materials, construction standards, and federal procurement specifications for caskets used in VA national cemeteries and other federal memorial programs. Gatica’s work ensures that veterans and eligible beneficiaries receive dignified, government-compliant burial products sourced exclusively from qualified small business manufacturers.