Melissa M. Palacios

Melissa M. Palacios serves as a Contract Specialist within the Department of the Air Force’s FA2517 21 Cons Bldg 350 office, where she plays a pivotal role in executing mission-critical procurement actions to modernize infrastructure and enhance operational readiness. She manages a diverse portfolio of acquisitions spanning facility upgrades, electronic systems integration, and fire safety modernization, ensuring compliance with federal acquisition regulations and defense-specific requirements. Her work directly supports the agency’s strategic imperative to sustain resilient, secure environments for Air Force operations through timely and compliant contracting practices. Palacios maintains consistent working relationships with a core group of contractors including ASTERI CONSULTING SERVICES LLC, AMD INTERNATIONAL TECHNOLOGIES LLC, MCKENZIE CONSTRUCTION & SITE DEVELOPMENT LLC, ARHAB LLC, and PRIMEPRO BUSINESS SOLUTIONS LLC. These partnerships reflect a blend of technical consulting, construction, and specialized systems support, indicating a preference for vendors with proven expertise in defense infrastructure and facility modernization. Her contracting approach emphasizes performance-based outcomes and clear statement of work development to ensure contractor accountability and mission alignment. A strong advocate for small business participation, Palacios prioritizes socioeconomic set-asides, with over half of her acquisitions designated as Total Small Business Set-Asides under FAR 19.5. She actively leverages HUBZone, Women-Owned Small Business, and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business set-asides, demonstrating a deliberate commitment to expanding opportunity within the defense supply chain. Her contracting patterns reflect a balanced approach that meets mission needs while advancing federal socioeconomic goals. Her primary procurement focus centers on NAICS 561730 (Landscaping Services), with additional activity in commercial and industrial machinery repair (811310) and miscellaneous manufacturing (339999). While some categories reflect niche or ancillary needs, her expertise lies in integrating facility support services with technical infrastructure upgrades, ensuring seamless alignment between physical environments and mission-critical operations.