Dennis M. Fuentes

Dennis M. Fuentes serves as Contracting Officer and Deputy Director of Acquisition & Assistance for USAID in Juba, South Sudan, overseeing the full lifecycle of procurement and assistance instruments to advance U.S. development objectives in a complex operational environment. He is responsible for ensuring compliance with federal acquisition regulations and USAID’s policy framework while delivering mission-critical services in governance, emergency response, and institutional capacity building. His portfolio encompasses a broad range of acquisitions, including construction, logistics support, professional technical services, and food service contracts, all aligned with USAID’s strategic goals of promoting sustainable development and resilient institutions in fragile contexts. Fuentes maintains a primary working relationship with AMD INTERNATIONAL TECHNOLOGIES LLC, a key contractor delivering integrated support services across multiple domains. His procurement patterns reflect a reliance on experienced, scalable vendors capable of operating under austere conditions, with a preference for firms that demonstrate proven field capabilities and adaptive management systems. He fosters long-term, performance-based partnerships that prioritize accountability, operational continuity, and mission alignment over transactional engagements. Fuentes does not utilize socioeconomic set-asides, with 100% of his awards issued under full and open competition. This reflects a deliberate strategy to maximize vendor competition and operational flexibility in a high-risk, resource-constrained environment where specialized capabilities are limited. While small business participation is not formally prioritized through set-asides, his approach ensures equitable access to opportunities based on technical merit and delivery capacity. His procurement focus centers on five key NAICS categories: commercial and institutional building construction (236220), food service contracting (722310), caterers (722320), all other support services (561990), and all other professional, scientific, and technical services (541990). These reflect a demand for integrated infrastructure, logistics, and technical advisory services essential to sustaining USAID’s field operations and supporting local governance structures in South Sudan.