About Us
OUR MISSION
At Darlene Bullock & Associates LLC, our mission is to empower businesses through innovative strategies and tailored solutions. We believe that every company has the potential to thrive with the right guidance and support.
PRESIDENT/CEO- E. Darlene Bullock
E. Darlene Bullock is a distinguished former member of the federal Senior Executive Service with over 33 years of experience in government contracting and procurement, most notably as the Executive Director of the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Throughout her tenure, she was instrumental in expanding opportunities for small businesses within the federal procurement landscape creating thousands of jobs and billions in awards.
Ms. Bullock's acquisition career at DHS spanned more than 18 years, during which she held several key leadership positions. She began as an Associate Director and Contracting Officer in the Office of Procurement Operations. She moved to the Program Manager role in OSDBU in 2011, overseeing the agency 8(a), Small Disadvantaged, and Women-Owned small business programs. In 2015, she advanced to Deputy Director and was appointed Executive Director in January 2020. Under her leadership, DHS consistently achieved top grades on the Small Business Administration’s Procurement Scorecard, securing 15 consecutive “A” or “A+” ratings and directing billions of dollars in contracts to small businesses.
A notable achievement in her career was the development and implementation of the Program Management, Administrative, Clerical, and Technical Services (PACTS) Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contracts serving as the chief architect. These contracts, valued at approximately $1.5 billion, were set aside for Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSBs) and significantly contributed to DHS meeting and exceeding its SDVOSB contracting goals.
Ms. Bullock's federal service also includes roles at the U.S. Agency for International Development, the Department of Commerce, the District of Columbia Government, and the U.S. Army, where she began her acquisition career through the Department of Defense Contract Specialist Intern Program. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Business and Resource Economics from the University of Maryland, College Park, and an MBA in International Management from Southeastern University. She was a Certified Federal Contract Manager (CFCM) and maintains a FAC-Professional in Contracting.
In recognition of her many contributions, Ms. Bullock received the 2023 Small Business and Procurement Equity Individual Award from the Office of Management and Budget, Chief Acquisition Officers Council. This honor acknowledged her efforts in promoting equity and inclusion within federal procurement, particularly through initiatives like the Vendor Outreach Matchmaking Events (VOMEs), which connected small businesses with large prime contractors.
Ms. Bullock retired from federal service in early 2025, leaving behind a legacy of advocacy for small businesses and a strengthened commitment to diversity in federal contracting.
DIVERSE SERVICES
Identify & Mitigate Pitfalls: Share insights on common mistakes small businesses encounter in federal contracting and provide actionable strategies to avoid these missteps.
Growth Strategies: Recommend tactics that have effectively grown an organization's footprint within a specific agency and across multiple agencies.
Competitive Positioning: Outline specific pathways to enhance competitiveness, build a robust federal opportunity pipeline, and increase market presence.
Market Expansion: Advise on targeting additional federal and state agencies or program areas where the firm is well-positioned to break in, leveraging past performance and established capabilities.
Adaptation to Regulatory Changes: Offer an analysis of upcoming FAR changes, along with recommendations on how to adapt and ensure compliance.
Strategic RFP Evaluation: Provide a framework for analyzing upcoming RFPs, identifying key red flags and green lights to determine a strategic fit. Review solicitations and the firm’s potential response from a former Contracting Officer’s and Executive lens.
Trend Anticipation: Explain methods to stay ahead of shifts in acquisition strategy, agency priorities, and federal funding.
Leverage Network for Early Positioning: Utilize a deep, industry-specific network and knowledge of federal procurement culture to position the firm as a preferred partner well before RFPs are released.
Influence Acquisition Strategy: Guide on the optimal role that small businesses should play in early-stage acquisition activities (e.g., RFIs, industry days) to boost visibility and credibility.
Ongoing Strategic Advice: Offer continuous consultative support to refine business development efforts and ensure long-term relationship building with federal agencies.
Customized Training Programs: Develop and offer training modules tailored to small businesses aiming to enter the federal marketplace.
Webinars and Workshops: Host regular online events focusing on different facets of federal contracting, such as proposal writing, understanding procurement cycles, and leveraging set-aside programs. These sessions can position firms as thought leaders in the govcon space.
Federal Contracting Readiness Assessments: Provide evaluations for small businesses to determine their preparedness for federal contracting opportunities.
Custom and Executive Service retainer or project related packages available.
