Talena L Edwards

Talena L. Edwards serves as a Contract Specialist within the Department of the Air Force’s FA7014 office, where she plays a pivotal role in executing mission-critical procurements that sustain and modernize Air Force operational readiness. She specializes in managing full lifecycle acquisitions for professional services, with a primary focus on systems engineering and technical assistance (SETA), enterprise IT modernization, and mission analytics. Her work ensures alignment with DoD acquisition regulations and supports the agency’s strategic priorities by delivering high-quality, compliant contracting solutions that enable technical excellence and mission continuity. Edwards maintains established working relationships with key contractors including SIGMATECH, INC. and PURDUE UNIVERSITY, partnering with organizations that provide specialized expertise in human resources consulting, workforce development, and technical advisory services. Her procurement approach emphasizes collaborative vendor engagement, leveraging long-term contract vehicles to ensure continuity of mission-critical support functions. She consistently works with firms capable of delivering scalable, compliant, and innovative solutions aligned with Air Force modernization objectives. A staunch advocate for small business participation, Edwards directs 100% of her acquisitions under the Total Small Business Set-Aside authority (FAR 19.5), ensuring equitable access for small businesses to compete for Air Force contracts. Her contracting patterns reflect a deliberate and consistent commitment to socioeconomic programs, fostering opportunity for small, disadvantaged, and service-disabled veteran-owned enterprises without reliance on other set-aside categories. Her procurement portfolio is exclusively focused on NAICS 541612—Human Resources Consulting Services—reflecting a deep specialization in workforce planning, talent acquisition, organizational development, and HR systems integration. She procures services that enhance Air Force personnel readiness through data-driven HR analytics, leadership development programs, and compliance-driven administrative support, ensuring the force remains agile, compliant, and mission-ready.