Rising Star: Katherine M. Katina
![](https://cdn.nextgov.com/media/img/cd/2021/12/11/Katina/860x394.png?1639283518)
Business Development Associate, SAIC
![Katherine M. Katina](/media/ps360/GIG/FCWNow/2018/11/2018RisingStars/Katina.png)
Katherine Katina is an alternative-contracting pacesetter for SAIC who knows her way around the emerging landscape of “other transaction agreements,” as well as the more familiar terrain of the General Services Administration’s governmentwide acquisition contracts and IT Schedule 70.
OTAs are becoming an important alternative to traditional federal contracting paths, particularly at the Defense Department. Many of the laws and regulations that govern federal contracts, including the Federal Acquisition Regulation, don’t apply to OTAs, so they require expert tailoring for agencies to use them appropriately.
Katina manages seven of SAIC’s OTAs, including those for the Army and Air Force research labs. She also serves as deputy program manager for the company’s participation in GSA’s Alliant GWAC and IT Schedule 70 multiple-award contract, where task orders total over $3.5 billion.
She has also contributed her expertise to industry efforts to advise congressional committees on OTA policy.
In addition, she regularly briefs SAIC executives on lessons learned, develops internal strategy to improve business development efforts, and prepares marketing materials and informational briefings for managers to provide to government customers. And she conducts internal training to improve the company’s acquisition approach and competitive posture.
“Katherine’s efforts to modernize internal processes and educate others about OTAs and other streamlined acquisition vehicles creates a win-win for both SAIC and our federal government customers,” said Amy Benson, SAIC’s vice president for government affairs.