Theresa Contreras

Theresa Contreras serves as a Contract Specialist within the FA8823 Sustainment MCPNT SSC/PKL, a critical unit under the Department of the Air Force responsible for sustaining and modernizing aerospace and space-based defense systems. In this role, she manages the full lifecycle of procurement actions for technical services and environmental support contracts essential to maintaining operational readiness of guided missile systems, satellite communications, and global positioning infrastructure. Her acquisitions focus on mission-critical sustainment activities that ensure the long-term viability of national security assets, requiring deep familiarity with defense acquisition regulations and complex technical requirements. Contreras works closely with a diverse pool of small business contractors, primarily those certified under socioeconomic programs, to fulfill the agency’s stringent sustainment needs. While no single contractor dominates her portfolio, she consistently engages with specialized firms offering environmental remediation and analytical testing services, fostering collaborative, performance-based partnerships that align with DoD standards for reliability and compliance. Her procurement approach emphasizes transparency, risk mitigation, and long-term vendor reliability over short-term cost savings. She maintains a 100% small business set-aside preference across all solicitations, reflecting a robust institutional commitment to socioeconomic contracting under FAR 19.5. Her awards consistently flow to small disadvantaged businesses, HUBZone firms, and service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses, reinforcing the agency’s mandate to promote equitable access to defense contracting opportunities. This pattern underscores her dedication to building a resilient, diverse supplier base capable of supporting complex aerospace sustainment missions. Her primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 562211 (Hazardous Waste Treatment and Disposal) and 541380 (Testing Laboratories and Services), reflecting the agency’s need for environmental compliance and technical validation of space and missile system components. She procures specialized services including chemical analysis, radiological monitoring, and non-destructive testing—critical to ensuring the safety and functionality of sensitive defense platforms. Her expertise bridges environmental stewardship with high-stakes aerospace engineering requirements.