About Heard Advisory
Advisory & Consulting Services
Heard Advisory & Consulting Services provides strategic, actionable guidance to organizations navigating the federal marketplace.
Derrick L. Heard is a nationally recognized federal acquisition executive, strategic advisor, and public sector innovator with over 35 years of experience leading complex government procurement, compliance, and organizational transformation efforts. As a distinguished member of the Senior Executive Service (SES), he most recently served as Director of the Office of Acquisition and Grants Management (OAGM) and Head of Contracting Activity (HCA) at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), where he directed a $12+ billion annual portfolio of federal acquisitions and grants.During his 24-year tenure at CMS, Mr. Heard held multiple senior leadership roles, including Deputy Director of OAGM and Director of the IT Contracts Group, where he led mission-critical efforts in performance-based contracting, acquisition reform, strategic alignment, and public-private collaboration. His early federal career included serving as a senior contracting officer at the IRS and as a Department of the Army procurement intern at the Pentagon, where he developed deep expertise in the full lifecycle of federal acquisition. He also earned an Executive Certificate in Leadership and Character in Uncertain Times from the Harvard Kennedy School.
Capture Support & Pipeline Optimization
- Pipeline Analysis & Maturity Augmentation – Evaluate and enhance growth and contract vehicle strategies
- Capture Practice Development – Strengthen internal capture workflows and maturity models
- Opportunity-Specific Support – Including:
- Client Intimacy & Opportunity Shaping
- Strategic Teaming & Targeted Solutioning
- Capture Pricing & Optimal Staffing Support
- Proposal Readiness Reviews & Preparation
Core Consulting Services
- Federal Acquisition Strategy & Executive Policy Alignment
- Strategic Planning & Federal Market Expansion
- Acquisition Strategy, Planning & Execution
- Compliance Reviews & Risk Mitigation
- Organizational Change Management
- Enterprise Risk & Cybersecurity Advisory
- Real-Time Procurement Advisory & SME Access
Services
Contractor Oversight & Program Support Expertise
1. Acquisition Strategy & Contract Planning
- Development and review of compliant, FAR-aligned acquisition strategies
- Performance-based contracting guidance and contract type recommendations
- Small business utilization planning and set-aside support
2. Contract Oversight & Governance
- Development of contracting policies, templates, and review protocols
- Support for acquisition plan approvals and justification reviews
- Organizational alignment of acquisition functions with agency governance
3. Compliance & Risk Management
- FAR, HHSAR, HIPAA, and CMS policy compliance consulting
- Risk-based oversight frameworks (CPARS, debarment checks, etc.)
- Legal and oversight coordination support (OGC, OIG)
4. Performance Monitoring & Contract Administration
- Performance evaluation frameworks for CORs and program managers
- Tools for QA, deliverable tracking, and invoicing accuracy
- Contract closeout readiness and documentation support
5. Small Business & Socioeconomic Engagement
- Utilization strategy for 8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB, and WOSB programs
- Subcontracting plan development and prime mentoring program guidance
- Support for meeting and exceeding small business goals
6. Acquisition Innovation & Vendor Engagement
- Agile and modular acquisition implementation
- Incentive-based acquisition strategy design
- Industry day planning, RFI/RFP support, and vendor collaboration
7. Contractor Security & Access Control
- System/data access protocols and compliance requirements
- PIV badge processes and background investigation coordination
- Data privacy and breach response accountability
8. Audit Readiness & Documentation
- Contract file reviews and reconstruction for GAO, OIG, or Congressional audits
- Incurred cost reviews and allowability/allocability evaluations
- Audit defense preparation and internal control strengthening
Ready to Compete—and Win—in the Federal Marketplace?
With unmatched experience at the intersection of policy, procurement, and performance, Mr. Heard now helps private-sector and nonprofit clients navigate the federal acquisition landscape with precision, compliance, and confidence.
Partner with Derrick L. Heard and Heard Advisory & Consulting, Inc. for the insights, tools, and strategy your organization needs to engage successfully with the U.S. government, mitigate risk, and deliver results.
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