Mark C. Palombo

Mark C. Palombo serves as a Contract Specialist responsible for managing the full lifecycle of federal acquisitions, from requirements definition through contract award and administration. He plays a critical role in ensuring compliance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and supports the agency’s mission by delivering essential technical and industrial services through transparent, competitive procurement processes. His portfolio primarily encompasses complex contracts for energy infrastructure, laboratory instrumentation, and industrial maintenance services, requiring deep technical understanding and rigorous source selection methodologies. Palombo maintains professional relationships with a diverse range of vendors, including large prime contractors with specialized capabilities in petroleum refining and analytical instrumentation, as well as small businesses capable of delivering niche repair and testing services. His contracting approach emphasizes fair competition and performance-based outcomes, fostering long-term vendor partnerships grounded in accountability and regulatory adherence. He frequently engages with contractors possessing ISO certifications and environmental compliance credentials to ensure alignment with operational and safety standards. While the majority of his acquisitions—93.3%—are conducted as full and open competitions without set-asides, Palombo consistently reserves 6.7% of his portfolio for Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5. This reflects a deliberate, though selective, commitment to small business participation, prioritizing capability and capacity over socioeconomic classifications alone. He does not routinely utilize 8(a), HUBZone, or SDVOSB set-asides, instead focusing on broad small business eligibility to maintain competition and value. His procurement expertise centers on NAICS 324110 (Petroleum Refineries) and 324191 (Petroleum Lubricating Oil and Grease Manufacturing), with additional focus on commercial and industrial machinery repair (811310), analytical laboratory instrument manufacturing (334516), and testing laboratory services (541380). He specializes in procuring high-precision equipment, maintenance contracts for energy systems, and accredited testing services, demonstrating technical fluency in industrial engineering and laboratory compliance frameworks.