John M. Tenaglia

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Mr. John M. Tenaglia serves as the Principal Director for Defense Pricing, Contracting, and Acquisition Policy within the Office of the Secretary of War (OSW), U.S. Department of War (DoW). In this role, he oversees pricing and contracting policies governing more than $450 billion in annual contract obligations.

As the functional leader of DoW’s workforce of over 35,000 contracting and purchasing professionals, Mr. Tenaglia is responsible for their career development and professional growth. He also serves as the principal advisor to the Under Secretary of War for Acquisition and Sustainment (USW(A&S)), providing guidance on acquisition strategies and procurement negotiations for all major weapon systems.

He is responsible for assisting the USW(A&S) in the implementation of the Department’s operational priorities, including business reform initiatives to reduce operational costs and speed delivery to the warfighter. He serves as the DoW’s voting member on the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Council and he oversees business enterprise initiatives related to contract pricing, domestic, international, and contingency contract policy for DoW, and associated e-business solutions.

Prior to his current assignment, Mr. Tenaglia served as the Head of the Contracting Activity (HCA) for the Defense Health Agency (DHA). In this capacity, Mr. Tenaglia was responsible for the award and administration of all contracts to maintain a medically ready force and a ready medical force, with annual obligations valued at over $13 billion. Having previously served in DPC under its former name, Defense Procurement and Acquisition Policy (DPAP), from 2008 to 2017, Mr. Tenaglia last served as Deputy Director for Contract Policy and International Contracting. In that role, Mr. Tenaglia was responsible for developing and improving innovative procurement policies for the Department of Defense by advancing the most efficient means to acquire supplies and services for the nation’s warfighters.

Mr. Tenaglia was commissioned in the United States Air Force in 1988 and retired from active duty in 2008. His Air Force tours of duty include: Minuteman III Missile Launch Officer; Contracts Manager and Executive Officer to the Director of Contracting for Aeronautical Systems Center; Contracting Officer and Contracting Policy Staff Officer at the National Reconnaissance Office; Commander of the 81st Contracting Squadron; Contracting Staff Officer in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition (Contracting); Legislative Liaison in the Office of the Secretary of the Air Force, Office of Legislative Liaison; and Special Assistant for Legislative Affairs in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Legislative Affairs.

Mr. Tenaglia earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science at the University of South Florida in Tampa, Florida. He earned a Master of Science degree in Health Services Administration from Central Michigan University and a Juris Doctor (JD) degree from Catholic University’s Columbus School of Law. He has been admitted to practice law in the Commonwealth of Virginia since 2012. Mr. Tenaglia has been a member of the Senior Executive Service since 2014.