Richard J. Formella is the President of Design-Build Strategic Solutions, LLC, a design & construction contracting process consulting firm. He recently retired from federal service as Chief of the Bio-Containment Procurement Branch for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). He has over 32 years of federal acquisition/contracting experience and joined DHS in 2006 serving as a Head of the Contracting Activity through 2014. Prior to joining DHS, Mr. Formella was employed by the Department of Justice (DOJ), Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) for over 20 years and concluded his service at BOP as the Chief of Construction Contracting where he led and administered the $3.0 billion dollar new federal prison construction contracting program. At the DHS he led the team providing design and construction contracting support for the DHS Science and Technology Directorate for major laboratory renovations and new construction an overall $1.5 billion program, including the $1.3 billion National Bio & Agro Defense Facility.

 Mr. Formella is a 1986 graduate of the FLETC, and holds a BS in Forest Management from the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point; a Masters Certificate in Project Management from Regis University, and a MS in Management – Leadership and Organizational Effectiveness from Troy University. He is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP), a designated Design-Build Professional (DBIA) and a Certified Public Procurement Officer (CPPO).