Derek Fore

Derek J. Fore serves as a Senior Contracting Officer for Network Contract Office 23 (36C263) within the Department of Veterans Affairs, where he leads the acquisition of critical facility infrastructure and medical support systems essential to VA healthcare delivery nationwide. He manages complex procurement actions for construction, engineering, and medical supply contracts, ensuring compliance with federal acquisition regulations while aligning with VA’s mission to modernize clinical environments and enhance veteran care. His portfolio primarily encompasses commercial and institutional building construction, engineering services, and related facility upgrades, requiring deep expertise in design-build, performance-based contracting, and integrated project delivery models. Mr. Fore maintains consistent working relationships with a core group of contractors, including BZ Construction and Development LLC, Highlands Enterprises LLC, Abbott Laboratories Inc., Primary Care Solutions Inc., and Pedersen & Rangel. These partnerships reflect a balance between large-capacity providers of medical equipment and specialized construction firms capable of delivering high-compliance healthcare facilities. His procurement approach emphasizes long-term vendor collaboration, rigorous performance evaluation, and contract administration grounded in quality assurance and schedule integrity. A defining feature of Mr. Fore’s contracting strategy is his strong commitment to socioeconomic programs, with over 70% of his awards structured as Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) set-asides. This reflects a deliberate and sustained effort to prioritize veteran-owned enterprises, reinforcing VA’s internal mission of supporting veteran economic empowerment through procurement. His pattern of awarding nearly three in four contracts under SDVOSB set-asides underscores a strategic alignment with national veteran-centric procurement goals. His technical focus centers on NAICS 236220 (Commercial and Institutional Building Construction), which accounts for the majority of his portfolio, alongside significant activity in NAICS 541330 (Engineering Services). He regularly procures roofing, HVAC, plumbing, and structural systems for VA medical centers, demonstrating specialized knowledge in healthcare facility construction standards, infection control requirements, and ADA-compliant design. His expertise ensures that infrastructure acquisitions directly support clinical readiness and patient safety.