Denise Howard

Denise M. Howard serves as a Contract Negotiator responsible for managing the acquisition lifecycle for specialized aerospace components, ensuring compliance with federal procurement regulations and optimizing value for the government. Her role centers on negotiating terms, evaluating proposals, and fostering transparent vendor relationships to secure mission-critical aircraft parts and auxiliary equipment. She plays a pivotal role in aligning procurement outcomes with operational readiness requirements, particularly within the defense and aviation sectors, where precision and regulatory adherence are paramount. Her acquisitions are predominantly governed under FAR Part 15, with a focus on competitive sealed bidding and negotiated contract actions. While specific contractor names are not available, Denise consistently engages with a diverse pool of manufacturers and suppliers qualified under the 336413 NAICS code, including both large prime contractors and small business subcontractors. Her negotiation approach emphasizes performance-based outcomes, clear deliverables, and rigorous technical compliance, fostering long-term vendor partnerships grounded in accountability and quality assurance. She works closely with procurement analysts and technical evaluators to ensure contract awards reflect both cost-effectiveness and operational reliability. Denise’s contracting patterns reflect a strong preference for open competition, with 86.7% of her awards issued without set-aside restrictions. However, she maintains a consistent 13.3% allocation to Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5, demonstrating a deliberate commitment to expanding opportunities for small businesses without compromising mission needs. Her approach balances broad market access with targeted support for small business participation, aligning with federal socioeconomic goals while preserving competition integrity. Her technical expertise is narrowly focused on NAICS 336413—Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing—encompassing avionics subsystems, flight control components, and non-structural aerospace hardware. She possesses deep familiarity with military and commercial aviation standards, including AS9100 quality systems and FAA/EASA regulatory frameworks, ensuring all procured items meet stringent airworthiness and safety requirements.