Horacio Fernandez

Horacio Fernandez serves as a Contracting Officer for the 257-NETWORK Contract Office 17 (36C257) within the Department of Veterans Affairs, where he leads the acquisition of critical infrastructure and medical support services essential to VA healthcare delivery. His portfolio encompasses the procurement of electromedical devices, diagnostic systems, laboratory analytics equipment, and facility construction services that sustain operational readiness across VA medical campuses. Fernandez ensures compliance with federal acquisition regulations while aligning procurements with the VA’s mission to deliver high-quality, timely care to veterans through reliable, technologically advanced infrastructure and clinical support systems. He maintains strategic relationships with key contractors including Primary Care Solutions Inc., Quest Diagnostics Incorporated, VetPride Services, Inc., McKenzie Construction & Site Development LLC, and Optum Infusion Services 308, LLC, reflecting a balanced mix of large-capacity service providers and specialized vendors. His contracting approach emphasizes performance-based outcomes, with a preference for vendors capable of delivering integrated solutions in diagnostics, infusion services, and facility modernization. Fernandez consistently engages contractors through competitive sealed bidding and performance-based contract vehicles to ensure accountability and mission alignment. Fernandez demonstrates a strong commitment to socioeconomic contracting, with approximately half of his awards designated for Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) set-asides, reflecting VA’s priority to empower veteran-owned enterprises. The remaining awards are competitively open, ensuring broad market access while maintaining robust small business participation. His pattern of set-aside usage underscores a deliberate strategy to foster veteran economic resilience and enhance vendor diversity in critical healthcare support sectors. His primary NAICS focus areas include Commercial and Institutional Building Construction (236220) and Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors (238220), indicating a heavy emphasis on facility infrastructure upgrades and environmental systems essential to VA medical campuses. He also procures architectural services and specialized building exterior work, demonstrating expertise in integrated construction management and facility lifecycle support for high-acuity healthcare environments.