Darnese M Wilkerson

Darnese M. Wilkerson serves as a Contracting Officer responsible for managing federal acquisitions in the education and workforce development sector. She plays a pivotal role in executing the agency’s procurement mission by ensuring compliance with federal acquisition regulations while advancing strategic objectives in training and educational services. Her portfolio primarily consists of service-based contracts for professional development, instructional support, and technical training programs, often requiring complex solicitation strategies and performance-based acquisition frameworks. Wilkerson is known for her meticulous approach to requirements definition, source selection, and contract administration, ensuring that procurements align with both operational needs and statutory mandates. While specific contractor names are not available, Wilkerson maintains consistent engagement with a diverse ecosystem of vendors specializing in training delivery, curriculum design, and educational support services. Her procurement patterns reflect a preference for long-term, performance-driven partnerships with firms capable of scaling instruction across multiple platforms and delivery modes. She fosters collaborative relationships with vendors who demonstrate robust past performance, quality assurance protocols, and adaptive learning methodologies, emphasizing outcomes over inputs in contract evaluation. Wilkerson demonstrates a strong and consistent commitment to small business participation, with 85.7% of her awards designated as total small business set-asides under FAR 19.5. Her contracting practices prioritize socioeconomic programs that empower small, woman-owned, and service-disabled veteran-owned businesses, reflecting a deliberate strategy to broaden market access and promote equitable economic opportunity. She actively structures solicitations to maximize small business eligibility and frequently employs simplified acquisition procedures to lower barriers to entry. Her primary procurement focus centers on NAICS 611430 (Professional and Management Development Training), with significant activity in educational support services (611710) and miscellaneous instructional programs (611699). She specializes in acquiring workforce readiness curricula, leadership development programs, and non-degree technical instruction, demonstrating deep expertise in adult learning systems and competency-based training models.