Darren Taylor

Darren Taylor serves as a Contract Specialist responsible for managing the full lifecycle of procurement actions within the federal acquisition framework, with a distinct focus on energy infrastructure and petroleum refining operations. He ensures compliance with federal contracting regulations, including FAR and DFARS, and executes competitive solicitations, contract modifications, and performance evaluations for complex technical acquisitions. His role is central to fulfilling the agency’s mission of securing reliable, safe, and cost-effective energy-related services and infrastructure support, particularly in high-regulation environments requiring specialized engineering and operational expertise. Darren collaborates with a diverse range of contractors specializing in petroleum refining, upstream and downstream energy operations, environmental compliance, and industrial maintenance services. While no single vendor dominates his portfolio, he consistently engages firms with proven capabilities in refinery operations, process safety management, and hazardous material handling. His working relationships are characterized by a preference for vendors with deep technical credentials, robust quality assurance systems, and demonstrated experience in federally regulated energy sectors. Darren’s contracting patterns reflect a strong emphasis on open competition, with 100% of his awards issued without set-aside designations. This indicates a procurement strategy prioritizing technical capability and market-wide competition over socioeconomic preferences, though he remains compliant with all small business outreach and reporting requirements. His approach underscores a commitment to selecting the most qualified offerors regardless of business size or certification status, aligning with mission-critical operational needs. His primary procurement focus is NAICS 324110—Petroleum Refineries—where he acquires specialized services including refinery maintenance, catalyst replacement, emissions control systems, process optimization, and regulatory compliance support. Darren possesses deep domain expertise in energy infrastructure contracting, ensuring that all procurements meet stringent safety, environmental, and operational standards unique to the petroleum refining industry.