KAYLEN ABOWZID
Simi Valley,CA
Summary
Contract and procurement professional with 13+ years of experience supporting a $380M public transportation infrastructure program. Serve as technical lead in contract development, RFP issuance for change work, proposal evaluation, compliance review, negotiation, and award documentation. Experienced in guiding multidisciplinary stakeholders through complex contractual processes while ensuring adherence to public agency policies, General Requirements, and regulatory standards. Proven ability to independently resolve high-risk contractual issues and produce defensible written determinations supporting executive-level decisions.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Change Manager
I-5 North County Enhancements Project
Valencia, CA
06.2021 - Current
- Initiate and issue Requests for Proposals (RFPs) to the Contractor for negotiated change work and scope modifications.
- Lead evaluation of contractor-submitted RFPs for technical compliance, cost reasonableness, schedule impact, and contractual entitlement.
- Develop negotiation strategies and independently conduct negotiations to reach fair and defensible contract modifications.
- Prepare written analyses and recommendation memoranda documenting entitlement, cost validation, and final negotiated positions.
- Coordinate internal review panels including Engineering, Construction, Project Controls, and Risk Management to support award decisions.
- Draft and issue formal contract modifications in accordance with Metro Change Control procedures.
- Interpret and enforce Contract General Requirements, Metro Special Provisions, Caltrans Standards, and all governing contract documents.
- Conduct compliance reviews to ensure adherence to contract terms, procurement standards, and public agency policies.
- Prepare detailed written correspondence responding to contractor RFCs, claims, and formal communications.
- Independently resolve complex scope, cost, and schedule disputes while mitigating organizational risk exposure.
- Maintain audit-ready documentation and defensible change files from initiation through closeout.
- Provide contract guidance and training to internal stakeholders on procedural compliance and documentation standards.
- Lead weekly and monthly cross-functional meetings with Metro, Caltrans, Contractor leadership, and internal departments.
- Present negotiation positions and risk assessments to executive-level decision-makers.
- Route and administer contract actions through Oracle Primavera Unifier in compliance with agency procedures.
- Provide monthly reporting to Risk Management regarding change exposure and financial impacts.
Project Engineer
DTS Company
Santa Clarita, CA, USA
03.2018 - 10.2020
- Review Contracts for accuracy in costs, schedule, and binding conditions
- Supported subcontractor procurement and bid evaluations.
- Reviewed contracts and proposals for scope, pricing, and schedule compliance.
- Prepared RFIs, RFCs, Change Orders, and payment applications.
- Assisted in resolving technical and contractual issues in coordination with project leadership.
- Assisted with project initiation, including scope development and schedule coordination.
- Led project execution, ensuring adherence to timelines and quality standards.
- Evaluated change order requests in response to out-of-scope work activities.
- Negotiated contracts with vendors to secure advantageous terms, contributing to cost savings.
Construction Office Manager
Kahn Air Conditioning, Inc.
Northridge, CA, USA
07.2014 - 03.2018
- Negotiated subcontractor agreements and material pricing.
- Administered subcontract change orders and professional service agreements.
- Ensured payroll and contractual compliance documentation.
- Managed project schedules and coordinated resources to ensure timely completion of construction tasks.
- Led procurement processes, negotiating with suppliers to secure favorable terms for materials.
- Developed and maintained budgets, tracking expenses to ensure adherence to financial constraints.
Construction Office Manager
Advantage Demolition and Grading, Inc
Winnetka, CA, USA
10.2012 - 07.2014
- Managed vendor contracts, purchase orders, and compliance documentation.
- Negotiated material and equipment pricing.
- Monitored project costs and contract modifications.
- Submitted weekly union payroll and monthly certified payroll for ongoing projects.
- Collaborate with estimators on bid package preparation.
- Cultivated strong relationships with vendors and partners supporting administrative operations.
- Negotiated and executed contracts on behalf of department.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Business Management
California State University of Northridge
Associate of Science - Construction Management
College of The Canyons
Skills
- Public Agency Procurement Support
- RFP Development & Proposal Evaluation
- Professional Services & Construction Agreements
- Contract Negotiation & Award
- Compliance Review & Written Findings
- Recommendation Memoranda
- Contract Interpretation (General Requirements & Special Provisions)
- Claims & Cost Entitlement Analysis
- Risk Assessment & Mitigation
- Multidisciplinary Team Leadership
- Oracle Primavera Unifier (PMIS)
- Audit-Ready Documentation
Timeline
Senior Change Manager
I-5 North County Enhancements Project
06.2021 - Current
Project Engineer
DTS Company
03.2018 - 10.2020
Construction Office Manager
Kahn Air Conditioning, Inc.
07.2014 - 03.2018
Construction Office Manager
Advantage Demolition and Grading, Inc
10.2012 - 07.2014
Bachelor of Science - Business Management
California State University of Northridge
Associate of Science - Construction Management
College of The Canyons