Derek Underwood

Derek Underwood serves as a procurement professional within the Office of Construction & Facilities Management (36C10F) at the Department of Veterans Affairs, where he plays a critical role in securing physical infrastructure to support veteran healthcare and administrative operations nationwide. He manages a diverse portfolio of acquisitions spanning engineering services and commercial/institutional construction, ensuring that VA facilities meet stringent standards for accessibility, safety, and mission alignment. His work directly enables the delivery of high-quality care through the planning, design, and construction of outpatient clinics, medical centers, and related facilities, often coordinating with architects, engineers, and general contractors to deliver mission-critical infrastructure under federal acquisition regulations. Underwood maintains strong, recurring relationships with key contractors including Legacy Investment and Management, LLC; Carnegie Management and Development Corporation; E2L FDS Nashville, LLC; USFP II LLC; and VetMedProperty LLC. These partnerships reflect a consistent preference for firms experienced in VA-specific facility requirements, particularly those with expertise in leased property management, adaptive reuse of existing structures, and design-build delivery methods. His contracting patterns indicate a reliance on established vendors with proven track records in delivering complex, mission-aligned construction and engineering solutions under tight regulatory and operational constraints. His procurement strategy is deeply rooted in socioeconomic inclusion, with over half of his awards designated as Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) set-asides, reflecting a strong institutional commitment to veteran-owned enterprise. An additional third of his contracts are awarded under total small business set-asides, demonstrating a deliberate effort to expand opportunities for small businesses while maintaining performance reliability. This pattern underscores a strategic alignment with VA’s broader goals of veteran economic empowerment and equitable contracting. Underwood’s technical focus centers on NAICS 541330 (Engineering Services) and 236220 (Commercial and Institutional Building Construction), indicating deep expertise in facility design, structural systems, and construction management. He routinely procures services related to site planning, building systems integration, and compliance with ADA and VA-specific design standards, ensuring all infrastructure supports the unique needs of the veteran population.