Marques Thomas

About Marques Thomas

Experienced Grant Management Leader and Certified Contracting Officer’s Representative…

Experience

1. Management and Program Analyst Contracting Officer Representative

   U.S. Department Of Education

   Jun 2020 — Present · Washington, DC, US

   As a Management and Program Analyst within the Higher Education Programs Office, I lead oversight and strategic management of more than 100 federally funded GEAR UP and Talent Search programs across 12 states. These initiatives support low-income, underrepresented communities by expanding access to postsecondary education through targeted grants, contracts, and programmatic interventions.In this role, I serve as a Level II Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR), authorized to obligate up to in federal funds. I ensure vendor compliance, monitor contractor performance, and uphold the integrity of federal acquisition processes in alignment with the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR).Key Responsibilities & Achievements:Provide expert technical assistance to grant applicants, ensuring proposals align with agency priorities and FAR requirements.Conduct performance reviews and analyze annual reports to assess program effectiveness and determine continued funding eligibility.Participate in peer review panels, evaluating grant applications for feasibility, compliance, and impact.Develop funding and policy recommendations for senior leadership based on data-driven insights and program outcomes.Interpret and apply federal statutes, regulations, and policies to ensure consistent and compliant grant administration.Oversee contracts supporting educational initiatives, ensuring timely execution, fiscal accountability, and measurable results.Prepare and revise program reports with precision, ensuring clarity, accuracy, and adherence to federal standards.Manage multiple high-impact projects in a dynamic environment while maintaining confidentiality and professional integrity.

Education

• University of Maryland Global Campus

  Master of Business Administration - MBA, Business Administration and Management, General

  2015 — 2017

• Towson University

  Bachelor of Science - BS, Business Administration and Management, General

• Towson University

  Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Sport Management

  2013

Skills

• Leadership
• Relationship Building
• Peoplesoft
• Inventory Control
• Risk Analysis
• Project Management
• Staff Training
• Performance Management
• Profit & Loss Management
• Teamwork
• Vendor Management
• Research
• Project Planning
• Business Process Improvement
• Document Preparation
• Sports Management
• Data Analysis
• Social Media
• Time Management
• Compliance Monitoring
• Training
• Merchandising
• Social Networking
• Workforce Planning
• Reporting
• Customer Service
• Management
• Microsoft Office
• Sales
• Policy Analysis
• Facility Management (Fm)
• Community Outreach
• Business Development
• Standard Operating Procedure (Sop)
• Budgeting