Teresa B. Hernandez

Teresa B. Hernandez serves as a Contract Specialist at the Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) Phoenix under the Bureau of Prisons, Department of Justice, where she manages the acquisition of mission-critical goods and services essential to the dietary and operational integrity of the incarcerated population. Her responsibilities include planning, soliciting, evaluating, and awarding contracts that ensure compliance with federal nutritional standards, religious dietary requirements—including Kosher and Halal protocols—and safety regulations. She specializes in full-cycle procurement for food manufacturing, logistics, and industrial supply chains, ensuring all acquisitions align with the agency’s mandate to deliver culturally appropriate, safe, and nutritionally compliant meals. Hernandez cultivates strategic partnerships with a diverse range of vendors, including food processors, industrial wholesalers, and specialized freight carriers, all of whom must meet stringent federal food safety and logistics standards. Her contracting approach emphasizes reliability, scalability, and adherence to USDA and DOJ dietary guidelines. While specific contractor names are not disclosed, her portfolio consistently engages manufacturers and distributors with proven capacity to deliver bulk, shelf-stable, and culturally specific food products under tight regulatory oversight. A staunch advocate for small business participation, Hernandez implements a 100% Small Business Set-Aside policy across all solicitations, fully aligning with FAR 19.5. Her contracting patterns reflect a deep commitment to socioeconomic equity, prioritizing small disadvantaged businesses, HUBZone firms, and service-disabled veteran-owned enterprises to foster community economic development while meeting operational needs. Her primary NAICS focus areas include 332510 (Hardware Manufacturing) for specialized food service equipment, 484220 (Specialized Freight Trucking) for temperature-controlled distribution, 423840 (Industrial Supplies Wholesalers) for dietary compliance supplies, and 332812 (Metal Coating and Engraving) for durable food service containers. This technical expertise ensures she procures not just food, but the entire ecosystem required to safely deliver federally mandated meals.