John L Bardwell III

John L. Bardwell III serves as a Contracting Officer within the Office of Acquisition Management at the Federal Transit Administration, where he plays a pivotal role in executing procurements that support the strategic oversight and financial accountability of federal transit programs. He is responsible for managing the full lifecycle of acquisition activities—from market research and solicitation development to contract award and administration—ensuring compliance with federal regulations and alignment with the agency’s mission to enhance transit program integrity. His portfolio primarily consists of advisory and administrative support services critical to grant management, project evaluation, and financial oversight. Bardwell collaborates with a network of qualified vendors specializing in management consulting and public sector advisory services. While no single contractor dominates his portfolio, he consistently engages with small businesses and firms possessing demonstrated expertise in transit program administration, compliance auditing, and performance evaluation. His procurement approach emphasizes transparency, competitive fairness, and long-term vendor partnerships grounded in performance-based outcomes. A staunch advocate for socioeconomic inclusion, Bardwell directs 100% of his acquisitions toward small business set-asides under FAR 19.5, ensuring robust participation from small disadvantaged businesses, women-owned small businesses, and other eligible socioeconomic categories. His contracting patterns reflect a deliberate commitment to expanding economic opportunity within the federal transit ecosystem through equitable access to government contracts. His primary procurement focus is on NAICS 541618 (Other Management Consulting Services), where he sources expert advisory support for transit grant management, program evaluation, financial controls, and operational efficiency improvements. He routinely procures services related to performance metrics design, compliance monitoring, and technical assistance for state and local transit agencies, demonstrating deep domain expertise in public transit governance and federal financial stewardship.