1. ACC TODAY
U.S. Army Contracting Command Spring 2013
ACC JCRX
at Fort Bliss
www.acc.army.mil
View from the top
ACC Integration
Contracting and customers go hand in hand
2. VIEW FROM THE TOP
ACC TODAY
The customer –
our reason to exist
By Harry Hallock,
Executive Director,
Army Contracting Command-Warren, Mich.
COMMAND STAFF
A rmy Contracting Command-Warren works hard to deserve its long-
standing reputation for providing exceptional acquisition, contracting,
and business advisory services to its customers and other stakeholders.
With more than 760 civilian and military personnel located at six sites, the
Maj. Gen. Camille M. Nichols
Commanding General
Command Sgt. Maj. John L. Murray
Command Sergeant Major
center manages more than $130 billion in active contracts for combat, armored
Art Forster
security, route clearance, tactical and commercial vehicles, robotics and so Director, Public and Congressional Affairs
much more. In fiscal year 2012, ACC-WRN awarded 17,600 contract actions,
and obligated $10.2 billion. Ed Worley
Public Affairs Team Chief
ACC-WRN serves the TACOM Life Cycle Management Command. TACOM
LCMC provides more than 65 percent of Army equipment in support of EDITORIAL STAFF
brigade combat teams, and the technology for more than 90 percent of Army
lethality; supporting our men and women in uniform at 100 worldwide Editor
Larry D. McCaskill
locations.
The contracting center ensures Soldier readiness for a broad customer base CONTRIBUTORS
that includes four program executive offices: ground combat systems, combat Col. Martha Brooks
Beth Clemons
support & combat service support, Soldier, joint chemical biological defense Giselle Lyons
and others. David San Miguel
Ed Worley
We have earned our reputation for exceptional customer support by making
it a top strategic priority. Customer service has been the first goal in the WRITE TO THE EDITOR
ACC-WRN strategic plan since the plan’s development in the late 1990s. Goal ACC Today welcomes letters to the editor. Letters
objectives include a requirement for senior leaders, managers, team leaders must be under 200 words and include your
name, address and telephone number. To submit
and employees to meet regularly with our customers to exchange information a letter, e-mail it directly to acc.pao@us.army.mil,
and identify concerns to promote and improve business relationships. As part (256) 955-7655.
of a customer assessment process, we use a simple survey to obtain feedback
from our customer base regarding timeliness, communication, teaming, quality, FIND BREAKING NEWS ONLINE
and responsiveness. We also ask our customers to identify individuals in ACC- Find today’s top news, breaking news and
links to electronic versions of ACC Today at
WRN who have provided exceptional support to customer organizations and www.acc.army.mil/news. ACC Today is an
we recognize those individuals in a town hall forum. It is not uncommon to authorized publication for members of the
recognize 30 percent of the ACC-WRN workforce at these events. U.S. Army. Contents of ACC Today are not
necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by,
ACC-WRN leadership and contracting personnel also actively participate the U.S. Government, Department of Defense,
in events designed to encourage private industry participation in defense Department of the Army or Army Contracting
Command. ACC Today is a quarterly
contracting, as they, too, are considered to be center customers. ACC-WRN publication produced by the Army Contracting
key procurement decision makers were speakers, presenters and attendees at Command Public and Congressional Affairs
various events such as the 2011 President Barack Obama Detroit Small Business Office. All editorial content of ACC Today is
Summit, the 2012 National Veteran’s Small Business Conference, and the prepared, edited, provided and approved by
the Army Contracting Command Public and
February 2013 Doing Business with the Department of the Army. ACC-WRN Congressional Affairs Office.
also co-chairs the TACOM LCMC advanced planning briefing for industry.
By working closely with our customers in a collaborative manner, we are able ADDRESS
The editorial office is located at:
to bridge the knowledge gap that exists between the many different functional
specialties and organizational goals, to allow us to be true “business advisors” to Army Contracting Command
our customers, and create an environment for success within the Department 3334-A Wells Road
Redstone Arsenal, AL 35898-5000
of Defense acquisition, logistics and technology community.
2 ACC TODAY | SPRING 2013 | www.acc.army.mil
3. ACC TODAY • SPRING 2013
WHAT’S INSIDE www.acc.army.mil
2 View from the top - The customer - our reason to exist
4 Educated in the contracting school of hard knocks
5 Quality assurance benefits MICC customers
6 Contracting and customers work hand in hand
for mission success
7 MICC-Fort Bliss delivers for Army’s second-largest
installation
8 ROTC outreach event well-received at NIU
4 9 Deployable Cadre Program mission evolves
10 Hutchison: ACC ops tempo higher than envisoned
11 Soldiers and DA civilians can go online for career
development assistance
12 Contracting readiness exercise a success
14 ECC colonel on the red carpet
15 ACC receives five awards for contracting excellence
10 14 16 Questions and Answers: Mr. Kim Denver
18 ACC appointed lead for new contract writing system
18 ACC integration on track
20 Military integration at ACC-APG
21 Process improvements produce savings
22 Duncan deploys in aftermath of Hurricane Sandy
24 MICC-Fort Hood test program yields savings
25 ACC NCOs attend inaugural ball
25 26 Sticky note, the ‘s’ word and the wisdom of a
seven-year-old
28 Employee returns to work after cancer battle
ACC TODAY
U.S. Army Contracting Command Spring 2013 30 Around ACC
ACC JCRX Cover—Army Contracting Command
at Fort Bliss Soldiers and civilians spent long
hours in the operations center
during the command’s annual joint
contracting readiness exercise at
Fort Bliss , Texas, Jan. 14-31. (U.S.
www.acc.army.mil
View from the top
ACC Integration Army Photo by Larry D. McCaskill)
Contracting and customers go hand in hand
www.acc.army.mil |SPRING 2013 | ACC TODAY 3
4. Educated in the contracting with over-arching government
regulations that changed the
school of hard knocks
way contracting specialists did
competitive negotiations.
“It made it easier,” she said.
“The next big thing came along
By Larry D. McCaskill Then I went to the district office as a in the 1990s. The Defense
ACC Office of Public & Congressional Affairs purchase agent and the rest is history.
larry.d.mccaskill.civ@mail.mil
Acquisition Workforce Improvement
I’ve been in contracting ever since.” Act gave professional status
Back then, Ijames said to contracting people. If you
people came up through the pardon the expression, I’ve
ranks by doing the work. grandmothered into that.”
“You might have started as Working what she calls the
a clerk and over the years you night shift, Ijames supports the U.S.
accumulated duties and eventually Central Command-Joint Theater
wind up as a contracting specialist. Support Contracting Command.
Now you have to have a degree to “Working in the rear I can stay
get in this career field,” she said. in the background and do a lot of
Ijames learned the intricacies of the work, the reviews, keep up
contracting by immersing herself in with the FAR and DFAR clauses for
her work and staying up to date with them,” Ijames said.“I can answer
all the changes as they occurred. questions from a lot of the newbie
“Contracting is like any other contracting officers going over there.
profession; you have to stay current,” I consider myself a resource for them
she said. “What’s so neat about to help them through tough issues,
Ruth Anne Ijames (U.S. Army Photo by Larry to help with policy and training
contracting is that it is dynamic.
McCaskill) presentations and suggestions.”
A
The rules are always changing by
rmed with a doctorate executive order or, (Department Armed with two computers
degree in getting it of Defense) policy letters. When and a phone, Ijames provides the
done from the school of Congress makes changes to a law type of detailed, quality service
hard knocks, Ruth Anne or passes an authorization act, it’s that doesn’t go unnoticed.
Ijames has been a fixture in the going to be implemented in the “I heard about her almost
contracting world since 1970. Federal Acquisition Regulation and from my taking over the JCC-Iraq/
A retired federal annuitant the Defense Federal Acquisition Afghanistan command in December
working out of her Billings, Mont., Regulation. We serve at the 2009,” said Maj. Gen. Camille M.
home, Ijames recently helped in pleasure of the law-making process Nichols, ACC commanding general.
the Army Contracting Command because contracting is law.” “I would travel out to one of our
Control Cell during the command’s To stay up to date Ijames does remote contracting offices and
joint contracting readiness exercise what she has been doing since the contracting officers would
at Fort Bliss,Texas. Ijames came the 1970s. She reads everything tell me about their advisor in the
into contracting when contracting pertaining to contracting. She checks states - Ruth Ann.They shared
officers didn’t need a college degree. the Federal Register daily and the amazing stories and only had the
“Do I have a degree? Oh heavens Government Accountability Office best to say about her sage advice
no. I told you I’m from the school of comptroller general’s decision for and her timely responsiveness.”
hard knocks,” Ijames said.“I started changes and any possible protests, According to Nichols, Ijames
in a construction field office around as well as particular court cases. She professionalism, advice, and
construction contracting as an also purchases new copies of the FAR responsiveness are appreciated by
administrative assistant. I was always and the DFAR when they come out. almost everyone Ijames meets.
looking for something to help the Ijames said those two documents “She is an institution and a
engineers and always wanted to might be the best thing that ever pocket of brilliance for all of the
learn something new. I didn’t care happened to military contracting. Department of Defense,” Nichols
if it was in my job title or not. I Publishing the FAR in 1984, said. “She mentored airmen,
was doing pay estimates and lots of followed by DFAR, provided sailors, Marines and Soldiers for
stuff.Then I was an admin assistant. military contracting specialists the last five years, giving folks
4 ACC TODAY | SPRING 2013 | www.acc.army.mil
5. “She is an institution and a pocket of
brilliance for all of the Department
of Defense,” Nichols said.
answers on specific questions operating without her expert professionalism, advice, and
that provide knowledge for future touch. She had been deployed in responsiveness. Everyone has great
efforts these contracting officers the early part of the war and now things to say about her and her
will experience in their careers.” her reach was in rotation after work,” the general concluded.
What can an individual do rotation,” Nichols explained.“She not
to have people praise them as only answered their questions on
institutions and a pocket of contracts in the combat zone, but I
brilliance? According to Nichols, have had contingency contracting
it’s Ijames’ spirit and her dedication officers that tell me they sometimes
to her craft and to Soldiers. work with her even today on their
“There was no office in either issues on contracts in the states.
Iraq or Afghanistan that was “Everyone appreciates her
Quality assurance
benefits MICC customers
Ryan L. Mattox Services Quality Assurance.“The services or supplies conform
MICC Public Affairs Office to contract requirements, and
Army has a material weakness
ryan.l.mattox2.civ@mail.mil
in contract administration and contractors are “acceptably
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO– oversight and documentation of maintaining” their quality control
FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas that oversight. In many cases, we systems to ensure they are providing
– Assuring Army customers receive do not have documentation to acceptable services or supplies.
what they pay for is the objective support that the Army received Merry said it is also important to
behind new quality assurance acceptable services and supplies in understand that quality control is
policy published by Mission accordance with the requirements the responsibility of contractors,
and Installation Contracting of the contract to justify contractor and the MICC Quality Assurance
Command officials in January. payments. It demonstrates that Program focus is determining
The policy also marks a major we are committed to moving that contractors are maintaining
milestone in helping correct forward in addressing the adequate quality control inspection
the Army material weakness Army material weakness with systems congruent with the
in contract administration and contract administration.” services performed and supplies
oversight. It follows the MICC’s MICC quality assurance specialists furnished under contracts.
Quality Assurance Program are acquisition professionals Merry pointed out that it is
roadmap to provide guidance on and members of the command’s difficult to hold contractors
goals, expectations and functional acquisition team. The policy responsible and accountable for
requirements for quality assurance defines their roles in conducting performance and quality control if
across the command leading to the quality assurance mission, requirements have not been well
improved customer service. The which is critical to the success defined with measureable outcomes.
roadmap includes three basic and efforts to hold contractors This is where quality assurance
elements – policy and procedures, responsible and accountable for specialists can play a role in the
quality assurance workforce performance and quality control. pre-award process through assisting
development and contracting The command’s overarching goal in determining if requirements are
officer’s representative management. is to ensure it has an effective and written with well-defined outcomes.
“This policy is a major step in the independent government quality The new quality assurance
MICC Quality Assurance Program,” assurance program required by program policy is available on
said Joe Merry, a senior quality the Federal Acquisition Regulation. the MICC SharePoint site.
assurance specialist, MICC Strategic The program assures contracted
www.acc.army.mil | SPRING 2013 | ACC TODAY 5
6. Contracting and customers work hand in hand
for mission success
By Rachel Clark
409th Contracting Support Brigade
rachel.d.clark4.civ@mail.mil
KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany–
The relationship between the
Soldiers and civilians line
409th Contracting Support Brigade
up for lunch at the Clock
contracting offices and their
Tower Dining Facility on
customers represent a link that the Kleber Kaserne in
affects the successful completion Kaiserslautern, Germany.
of Army missions in Europe. The dining facility is one
“We are a customer-focused of the contracts serviced
organization and we measure our by the 409th Contacting
success on customer satisfaction,” Support Brigade.
said Col. William Bailey, commander, (U.S. Army Photo by
409th CSB.“The 409th CSB is here Rachel Clark)
to provide effective contracting
support, and we will not fail.” theater contracts spanning years. expectations is key. However, I
According to Bailey, the 409th “I follow up with the requiring also believe the key to customer
CSB supports a large part of Army activity to ensure that the contract satisfaction is customer education
contracting in Europe and places is running smoothly,” Powell said. combined with open and constant
value on supporting customers “If it doesn’t, I ask why and get communication,” said Daniel Jaques,
and ensuring their needs are met. involved. I am 110 percent involved 409th CSB procurement liaison.
“Our customers rely on our in everything that is going on.” “If we can tell the customer
responsiveness and effectiveness Contract management often requires what it will take to create a
to get the best supply or service the contracting officers to make site successful acquisition and follow
for their buck,” said Ulli Powell, visits to their customers and reach up with them through the process,
contracting officer, 409th CSB Theater out to contractors and vendors. the requirement development
Contracting Center.“We support “Contracting plays a vital role process will be improved and the
many military missions and if we due to our location overseas, said acquisition will be successful.”
don’t provide the best customer Maj. Roger Rodriquez, chaplain Early involvement of the
service for them and work hand–in- resource manager, U.S. Army Garrison contracting offices has equaled
hand with them, it could affect their Stuttgart.“Regional Contracting success toward the mission.
missions and their well-being.” Office Stuttgart has personally made “If we didn’t support and work
The organizational relationships two office visits, and they were with our customer, the community
the 409th develops are critical very helpful and informative.” would not be able to function,”
to mission success. Other customers agree. Powell explained.“We take care of
“I believe it is imperative to have a “Our contracting officer has been so many military units, organizations,
good working relationship with our key in making this contract work and and embassies as well as remote
contracting office and the people put in long hours, went above and locations that we need to be right
that support us and I believe we beyond to make the customer happy by their side to provide the supply
have this type of relationship (with and work with us every step of the and service needed. Every person
the 409th),” said Valerie Daniel, way,” said Chief Warrant Officer 4 working for the 409th impacts
Defense Threat Reduction Agency. Matthew Hurd, U.S.Africa Command the outcome for a Soldier.”
For the contracting team, the job Personnel Support Detachment.
does not end when a contract has Both customers and contracting
been awarded. A tremendous amount officers believe good communication
of work goes into the follow up and and working relationships are
maintenance of those contracts with integral to the success.
management of some larger-scale “Certainly meeting customer
6 ACC TODAY | SPRING 2013 | www.acc.army.mil
7. MICC-Fort Bliss delivers
for Army’s second largest installation
Ben Gonzales
and civilians at MICC-Fort Bliss fiscal year 2010, our staff helped the
MICC Public Affairs Office
Benito.gonzales3.civ@mail.mil executed more than 2,100 contract 1st AD with a 54 percent reduction
actions valued at more than $207 in costs with no noticeable reduction
P roviding the contracting million.They take care of all of Fort in services through smart contracting
needs for more than 35,000 Bliss’ major units including the 1st and consolidation of requirements.
Soldiers and their families at Armored Division, Fort Bliss Garrison, They understand the value of
the Army’s second-largest installation 32nd Army Air and Missile Defense contracting and how we can work
is no easy task, but members Command, Brigade Modernization together to save the Army money.”
of the Mission and Installation Command, Joint Task Force-North, In addition to working with
Contracting Command-Fort Bliss, U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy Fort Bliss units, support by the
Texas, accomplish that every day. and assist with the new William contracting office reaches beyond
The 56-member contracting Beaumont Army Medical Center. the post gates to local small
office plans, integrates, awards According to Lt. Col. Shawn businesses that perform many
and administers contracts for Jenkins, the MICC-Fort Bliss associate of the contracts required for the
Army commands and units on director, the MICC-Fort Bliss staff installation. In fiscal year 2012,
the El Paso post that spreads partners with its customers to more than $69 million went to area
across 992,000 acres. evaluate and determine the best small businesses through more than
Home to the Army’s second- course of action to achieve contract 1,300 contract actions. Leading the
largest maneuver area as well as award, management and oversight. effort for Fort Bliss is Sue Jones,
1,500 square miles of virtually Such efforts include teaming the small business specialist.
unrestricted airspace used for missile with 1st AD officials to develop a “We open our doors to meet with
and artillery training and testing, Fort contract action review board to area small business representatives
Bliss has the room to accommodate assist the division in prioritizing every Friday to educate local officials
the 300-percent increase in its its contract requirements on what opportunities are available
population over the last five years. “We sit with the 1st AD’s chief here, as well as provide the forecast
Providing and sustaining the contract of staff and go through all the large for contracts to come,” Jones said.
needs of the installation is where requirements to make sure we When Jones isn’t working as
the MICC-Fort Bliss staff comes in. procure only what is truly necessary the conduit for area businesses, she
In fiscal year 2012, the Soldiers for the customer,” said Jenkins.“Since trains the MICC-Fort Bliss staff on
market research for small businesses
and how the programs benefit
the Army and local economies.
According to Melissa Garcia,
a contracting officer in the
major acquisitions division, it
takes a team effort to administer
the installation’s contracts.
“In a constantly changing
environment, my job is to keep my
team on track through mentoring
while staying abreast of the current
policies and changes in the dynamic
contracting world,” explained Garcia,
who leads four contract specialists.
(Left to right) Maj. Gen. Camille Nichols, ACC commanding general, talks to Karla
Candelaria and Melissa Garcia during an office visit Jan. 25 at Fort Bliss, Texas. (U.S. Army
photo by Ben Gonzales)
www.acc.army.mil | SPRING 2013 | ACC TODAY 7
8. ROTC
outreach event
well-received at NIU
By Liz Adrian
Army Contracting Command-Rock Island, Ill
elizabeth.a.adrian.civ@mail.mil
ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL, Ill. – In
the frigid, early hours of Feb. 20, four
Army Contracting Command-Rock
Island officers made their way into
a van bound for DeKalb, Ill.Their
mission: to meet 30 Northern Illinois
University Reserve Officers’Training
Corps Military Science III and Military
Science IV cadets to discuss their
potential futures in the Army. Maj. Jade Miller (standing) discusses his professional background with a class of Northern
Majors Jade Miller, Donald Smith Illinois University ROTC cadets Feb. 20 as (left to right) Majors Donald Smith, Dwayne Haigler,
and Dwayne Haigler, ACC-RI and Capt. Timothy Godwin look on. (U.S. Army Photo by Liz Adrian)
contract specialists, along with Capt.
Timothy Godwin,ACC-RI executive at Western Illinois University as It is also an outstanding way for
officer, talked about their military part of a local effort to recruit, these officers to “pay it forward”
backgrounds and took questions train and retain the nation’s future with these cadets and soon-to-be
from the cadets about the transition force. Miller said the questions commissioned officers, he said.
from ROTC cadet to Army officer. cadets asked at NIU and WIU “This second outreach event
Lt. Col. David Dosier, department were largely similar. Several cadets by ACC-RI’s officers was a great
chair, Military Science, NIU, said stayed after the session to ask the opportunity for them to make lasting
the morning’s outreach may have officers additional questions. impressions and provide their first-
changed some of the cadets’ “Once again the cadets posed hand accounts of how they built a
perceptions of their upcoming some very good questions,” said successful Army career with some
transition from student to officer. Miller.“We are trying to emphasize potential future leaders of the Army,”
“It really gave the cadets a chance long-term thinking and not said Hannon.“I’m hopeful we are
to see things from a different just what it means to get their able to extend our reach to other
perspective,” said Dosier.“Having this commission. A unique opportunity ROTC programs in area colleges and
information come from someone for us is to be able to define universities. It is imperative that we
other than me, who they’ve listened functional areas, with particular help tell the Army story and keep
to for the past three years, is valuable. focus on the acquisition corps.” ROTC recruiting Army strong.”
I think it may have changed some The ACC-RI officers are hopeful
of the cadets’ minds on what it will they will be able to reach out to
be like moving into their branches.” other ROTC cadets at schools such
An hour-and-a-half question-and- as Illinois State, University of Iowa,
answer session touched on many Northern Iowa and Iowa State.
topics, but the overall theme centered Col. John Hannon,ACC-RI acting
on the relationships the cadets director, said the critical personal
would have with the Soldiers they interaction and information the
will lead as newly commissioned officers provided to the ROTC cadets
officers, as well as the relationship will very likely be instrumental
between peers and leadership. to many of their Army officer
In November, Miller and Smith career choices, helping them to
conducted a similar outreach event visualize the long-term big picture.’
8 ACC TODAY | SPRING 2013 | www.acc.army.mil
9. Deployable Cadre
Program mission evolves
By Giselle Lyons
ACC Public And Congressional Affairs Office ACC is now taking steps to whole way through and provide
giselle.n.bodinlyons.civ@mail.mil improve the medical and mental whatever assistance we can.” Merritt
redeployment review by requiring a explained.
M anagement of the Army
Contracting Command’s
Deployable Cadre Program
has moved to the ACC Deputy Chief
of Staff Human Capital G1.
second medical review 90-120 days
after the deployment, Merritt said.
“We are here for the deployed
civilians when they return and we
The DCP pool consists of 118
volunteers from ACC headquarters,
the Expeditionary Contracting
Command, the Mission and
want to make sure they know that,” Installation Contracting Command
The program is the command’s Merritt said.“Whatever we can do to and all six contracting centers.
primary source for identifying, assist them, we do our best.” According to Bill Baxter, ACC
assigning and deploying civilian In addition to the physical and deputy chief of staff Human Capital
volunteer personnel in support G1, upon redeployment, cadre
of contracting requirements members earn up to an additional
around the globe, according to the 10 percent of their base salary
ACC Deployment Cadre Program for successfully completing their
Handbook. assignment.
Beverly Johnson, ACC DCP Overseas deployments are
coordinator, said ACC is called upon typically six months and there are
to provide contract management also opportunities for stateside
skills and expertise to support the temporary duty. Volunteers can
war fighter in operations beyond sign up to be considered for either
the scope of the command’s day-to- or both. Cadre members also have
day mission. This includes support guaranteed return rights to their
to overseas operations, training current assignments. Employees in
exercises, natural disasters within the contracting and quality assurance
the U.S. and high-visibility priorities career fields can apply, and those
across the command. with knowledge of the Procurement
Prior to being moved to the G1, Desktop-Defense Contracting System
the DPC was a stand-alone office Beverly Johnson (left), and Sandra Merritt, are preferred.
operating at the ACC-National Capital program coordinators, review personnel Valerie Johnson, a procurement
Region offices in Alexandria, Va. The information. (U.S. Army Photo by Larry D. analyst in the ACC Operations Group,
move comes at a time when the McCaskill) is a DCP volunteer who recently
program is being revamped. The returned from Iraq.
DPC is also developing a major mental reviews before and after
deployment, the best assistance “Whenever I had a problem, they
initiative focusing on the well-being
the DCP staff can provide to those responded quickly,”Valerie Johnson
of the volunteers as they return from
deployed is to maintain constant said.“If they didn’t know the answer,
deployment, said Beverly Johnson.
communication during their they found out.They never left a
Before civilians are deployed, question unanswered.”
they go to a unit deployment center deployment.
“Personal contact with them Cadre members like Valerie
where they receive initial training,
is an essential component of our Johnson are exactly who the G1
uniforms and equipment. They
jobs. Phone calls, emails, pictures… office strives to assist, Merritt said.
return to the deployment center
upon their redeployment and receive we want to communicate with “We have to communicate with
a medical review before returning to them,” Beverly Johnson stressed. them,” said Beverly Johnson.“We
their home units. “We want to make sure they feel can’t assist them if we don’t know
stable and comfortable during their what is going on.”
Research has revealed that
civilians face the same psychological deployment.” “It’s important to keep the
difficulties as Soldiers upon returning Merritt said it’s also critical for the communication going so we can
from deployment, such as post DCP staff to communicate with the tweak the program as we need to,”
traumatic stress disorder, but they civilians at all times. Merritt added.“It not only helps
tend to not follow up with additional “We try to give them help before them, but it helps us help the next
medical treatment since it’s not they deploy, while they are in the group of cadre members who go out
mandatory, according to Sandra field, and when they come back,” into the field.”
Merritt, also an ACC DCP coordinator. Merritt said. “We follow them the
www.acc.army.mil | SPRING 2013 | ACC TODAY 9
10. Professional Workforce
Hutchison:
ACC ops tempo higher than envisioned
By Ed Worley “I left because Gen. Nichols to standardize processes and
Public and Congressional Affairs asked if I would be her deputy,” he procedures across ACC, to create an
Edward.g.worley@us.army.mil enterprise approach to contracting,”
explained. “I thought: when the boss
REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala.– asks, unless there is a compelling he explained. “Key to that are the
Shortly after becoming the Army reason to say ‘no’, I need to say yes initiatives that are being worked out
Contracting Command deputy to and serve where the Army needs me. of contracting operations. Ensuring
the commanding general, Michael When I said yes, I underestimated that those initiatives continue to
Hutchison learned that the ACC how hard it would be to leave.” make forward momentum is really
headquarters is busier than he Nichols is happy Hutchison fundamental to ACC bringing real
thought it would be. accepted her offer. value to what’s being done in the
“There is a whole lot more going (contracting) centers.
“I’ve known Mike for a long time
on at the headquarters than I had and he is absolutely the right person “My personal goal for the position
anticipated,” he said. “The operations to complete the ACC leadership is to be the best deputy I can be for
tempo here is a whole lot higher team,” she said.“He is uniquely Gen. Nichols,” he explained.“I really
than what I had envisioned.” qualified, having served as the want to make her life easier. I hope
Hutchison became the deputy to executive director of two of our she will view me as a partner and a
Maj. Gen. Camille M. Nichols, ACC contracting centers. He has already key advisor in the leadership of ACC.”
commanding general, on Jan. 14. taken a lot of work off my plate, Hutchison sees some challenges
He came to the headquarters after especially leading the command for the command, including what
serving as executive director of the when I’m on the road. I trust his he called “significant” money and
ACC-Rock Island, Ill., contracting judgment and I value his counsel. It’s manpower resource challenges.
center and was dual-hatted as the great to have him on the team. We “Money equals capability. Money
acting executive director, ACC- welcome him and look forward to equals manpower. Money equals
National Capital Region, Alexandria, his assistance in getting us closer to training. Money equals personnel.
Va. our vision.” Money equals travel.”
“We weren’t nearly this busy,” he Hutchison’s general focus as the While serving as the acting
said, comparing ACC’s optempo deputy is on contracting issues and director of ACC-NCR, Hutchison had
to that of a previous assignment some of the initiatives under way to deal with the Army’s decision to
to Army Materiel Command in the ACC Operations Group, but close the center. In the end, he said,
headquarters. “Of course, it was a he said his role is evolving. He is the decision came down to “dollars
different time. We were not at war also maintaining his position as the and cents.”The center is scheduled
and we weren’t trying to resource a principal assistant responsible for to close in July. It’s the human costs,
6,000 to 7, 000-person contracting contracting for ACC-RI and ACC-NCR. though, that concern him most.
operation.” “If you think about it, one of “ACC-NCR is full of great people
Hutchison said leaving Rock Island the things that ACC was created who do a great job every day,” he
was “very hard for me to do. I love to do was to improve the quality said.“I felt very connected to them.
the mission and I love the people. of the work that’s being done, You don’t want people to think they
10 ACC TODAY | SPRING 2013 | www.acc.army.mil
11. Professional Workforce
are not valued. I still wrestle with, contracting officers. “What do they need, what can
in the end, how do I handle the He acknowledged the extra be slipped? And they have many
personal cost that we are laying on workload will add to the stress customers, so the process will have
that workforce.” already experienced by contracting to be repeated with each customer,”
ACC’s resource shortfall is also officers and others who directly he said.“They and the customer also
contributing to the contracting support the contracting mission. have to realize that some things just
workload, he said. “With respect to the workload, aren’t going to get done.
“Sequestration will bump up the the contracting officers need to do “Personally, you can get frustrated
contracting workload,” he explained, some serious prioritization with and angry, but you have no control
saying every contract modification the customer,” said Hutchison, who over it,” Hutchison said.“My advice is
stimulated by sequestration relieves stress by visiting historical to let it go and do the best you can.”
generates additional workload on the sites and museums.
Soldiers and DA civilians can go online
for career development assistance
I n an open letter to Soldiers and Murray said it’s
leaders, Sgt. Maj. of the Army effective because it
Raymond F. Chandler III said is a single site where
personnel must be agile and adaptive an individual can go
to succeed in today’s complex and to find several online
dynamic environment, and that links for career
requires Soldiers and Department development.
of the Army civilians to continually “We need to
develop knowledge, skills and abilities. make it a sign-off
Chandler said the Army Career requirement on
Tracker portal, https://actnow.army. all Soldier and
mil, supports career development Department of the
with information technologies and Army civilian in-
other important tools. By using ACT, processing sheets,”
Soldiers and civilians have the ability he said. “ACC has
to organize and schedule individual been working with
developmental opportunities into a the Training and
plan that satisfies their individual goals Doctrine Command
and objectives over time. and the Acquisition
ACT is an online tool for career Support Center
and leadership development with an to make several
increasing number of resources to improvements
help Soldiers and leaders manage Army to the 51C and
careers, said Chandler.This includes the 1102 (military and
ability to collaborate with leaders and civilian contracting
Personnel can find all kinds of training aids and progression charts
mentors, and connections to up-to-date professional specialties,
on the Army Career Tracker website. (U.S. Army Graphic)
Army-wide and military occupational respectively)
specialty-specific information to guide dashboards to include interfacing with to the command.
Soldier decision-making. the career acquisition management “Right now we can review the
“The best manager of an individual’s portal so the Soldiers and civilians will structured self-development,
career is themselves,” said Command only have to create and manage one retention, and professional military
Sgt. Maj. John L. Murray, command individual development plan.” education of the command,” Murray
sergeant major,Army Contracting Murray said ACC has been granted said. “We will continue to enhance
Command. “ACT will help individuals a license to pull reports to identify the tool to make it more viable for
organize and manage their career the current training and development the field.”
along a proven path to success.” status of Soldiers and civilians assigned
www.acc.army.mil | SPRING 2013 | ACC TODAY 11
12. Professional Workforce
Contracting readiness exercise a success
By Larry D. McCaskill
ACC Office of Public and Congressional Affairs
larry.d.mccaskill.civ@mail.mil
FORT BLISS, Texas – Contracting
Maj. Gen. Camille
professionals gathered here starting M. Nichols, ACC
Jan. 14 for the fourth annual commanding
Army Contracting Command general, addresses
joint contracting readiness JCRX-13
exercise, dubbed JCRX-13. participants at
More than 300 Soldiers and Fort Bliss, Texas,
civilians from military contracting on the importance
offices worldwide participated this of contingency
year, the second consecutive year contracting. (U.S.
it was conducted at Fort Bliss. Army Photo by
Larry D. McCaskill)
“We expanded the scope of
this year’s training,” said Col.
Timothy Strange, commander, to hone their craft in a very low- essential that we prepare to do it
412th Contracting Support Brigade, threat, low-risk environment. in a joint environment,”Williams
Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam In addition to Nichols, Heidi said. “These kinds of exercises give
Houston,Texas. The 412th was the Shyu, assistant secretary of the you the opportunity to practice
lead organizer for the exercise. Army (Acquisition, Logistic and what you are going to face when
Maj. Gen. Camille. M. Nichols,ACC Technology); Kim Denver, deputy you get into theater.We’re always
commanding general, commended assistant secretary of the Army talking about training like we fight.
Strange and his team for their (Procurement); Lt. Gen. Patricia Well, this is allowing Soldiers, sailors,
dedication and hard work. McQuistion, deputy commanding airmen and Marines to do just that.”
“I want to thank the 412th and general,Army Materiel Command According to Strange, the
everyone involved in putting and Charlie E.Williams Jr., director, exercise leads to improved contract
this together,” she said.“They Defense Contract Management planning and execution in a joint
ensured that this was the most Agency, also observed JCRX activities. environment and contributes
professional event that we could “It’s absolutely important.The first to establishing expeditionary
put on given our resources and our thing we learned over the last two contracting as a core and enduring
expertise. It was phenomenal.” years is that preparation to go deploy Army operational capability. Future
Nichols said the training was an and get the contracting mission military operations will continue to
opportunity for the participants done is critical and it’s absolutely demand expeditionary contracting
Soldiers who are trained and ready
to meet Army service component
command needs.This “work as we
fight” strategy will prepare them to
deploy and support Army operational
forces anywhere in the world, he said.
The ACC team created the realistic
During JCRX-13, live-training exercise to replicate
Army Contracting the conditions that a contracting
Command Soldiers officer could face in Afghanistan
and civilians, in and elsewhere, Strange added.
an early morning The live training is similar to
formation, await the the training that maneuver units
start of a command
receive at the training centers and
run at Fort Bliss,
according to Denver; it’s exactly
Texas. (U.S. Army
the training that is needed.
Photo by Larry D.
McCaskill) “When you look at all the activities
1 2 ACC TODAY | SPRING 2013 | www.acc.army.mil
13. Professional Workforce
During JCRX-13, cadre members spent long
hours within the operations center. Cadre for the
exercise was comprised of personnel from Army
Contracting Command organizations nationwide.
(U.S. Army Photo by Larry D. McCaskill)
that are taking place here, they Command’s strategic plans officer Force. “I’ve participated in the
are truly preparing our 51Cs, our and the officer-in-charge of the warrior training and I have to say
military contracting support, for Senior Contracting Officers my legs are sore. It really gives
operations across the globe,” said Control Cell. She has been at you an appreciation for Soldiers.”
Denver. “So this is probably one of each of the previous exercises. Warrior task training
the best environments that we have “The contracting scenarios and included convoy operations,
to provide actual training with real- workload used in the exercise were medical training, vehicle
world scenarios to train our 51Cs.” modified and improved to include rollover simulations and
The exercise provides tools, current policies, processes and simulated weapons training.
techniques and procedures procedures used in the U.S. Central “I was willing to experience
necessary to deploy with confidence Command’s area of responsibility, exactly what (the military members)
and the ability to support deployed where the majority of our personnel experienced during this exercise,”
forces, he explained.The exercise are deployed and we gain a vast said Anna Walker, a contracting
included trainees and cadre amount of contingency contracting officer from MICC-Fort Bragg.“It
members from the Army, Navy, experience,”Tschida said. builds morale between the military
Marine Corps and Air Force. During the exercise, trainees - and civilians because, hopefully
“This contracting exercise military and civilian – stayed in the they saw that I am not just here to
has grown significantly in barracks, ate in the dining facilities teach them, but also to go through
complexity,” said Lt. Col. Carol and car-pooled everywhere. all the same training they do.”
Tschida, Expeditionary Contracting “I hope the Soldiers see we are The three-week exercise
trying to connect with them on wrapped up Jan. 31. Many of the
their level,” said Kimberly Kilpatrick, approximately 200 trainees will
Mission and Installation Contracting return to home station and begin
Command-Fort Bragg, N.C., who preparations for deployment.
hadn’t slept in a barracks since
1991 when she was in the Air
(Left to right) Staff Sgt. Jenny Martinez,
Capt. Manuel Prado, Anna Walker and
Marine Corps Capt. Elena Vallely practice
various first aid techniques during the
warrior skills training portion of the exercise.
(U.S. Army Photo by Larry D. McCaskill)
Staff Sgt. Channel Pederson, 900th Contingency Contracting Battalion, Fort Bragg,
N.C., instructs one of the JCRX-13 participants during training on escaping from
rolled over vehicles. (U.S. Army Photo by Ben Gonzales)
www.acc.army.mil | SPRING 2013 | ACC TODAY 13
14. early to get their seats in the fan box,”
recalled Brooks. She explained that
Professional Workforce getting there early ended up being a
good thing.
ECC colonel works “Before the show, the local and
smaller press organizations were
Academy Awards allowed to go behind the scenes
inside the theater and get photos and
red carpet videos before it got crazy.”
Brooks said being on hand in
By Beth E. Clemons her mess dress was quite the show-
ACC Office of Public & Congressional Affairs
stopper.
beth.e.clemons.civ@mail.mil Col Martha K. Brooks and
“No one had ever seen the formal
her new friend, Oscar.
Army uniform, because we only
W hen Col. Martha K. Brooks
found out she was heading
to California, she had no idea of the
able to represent the military at the
Oscars and on the red carpet.”
The service members were on
wear it for special occasions and
most Soldiers don’t buy one,” said
Brooks.“The uniform presented the
adventures she had in store. hand to gather photos, videos and opportunity to explain the Army
Brooks, the Army Expeditionary sound bites to be used by the local to civilians who had never been
Contracting Command public affairs mobile public affairs detachment and exposed to Soldiers before.”
officer, was asked to assist during the the Armed Forces Network. Once the program began, the
85th Annual Academy Awards. Travelling with her sister, Lela, press was sectioned off behind
“I was contacted by a Soldier that Brooks’ adventures began on her ropes. As the stars began to arrive
used to work for me at Third Army,” plane ride to Los Angeles Feb. 23. on the red carpet, Brooks competed
Brooks said.“He is now working “I was getting on the plane and with much larger television and print
at the Office of the Chief of Public boys kept coming up to the man in media to get the passing celebrities
Affairs Los Angeles and was in charge front of me and asking for pictures on camera.
of the program this year. He said he with him. I wasn’t sure who he was “I just grabbed folks,” Brooks
needed someone that would not be but later we chatted and it turns laughed.“Once I told them we were
intimidated by the stars or be star out he’s some sort of football star,” there to share their messages with
struck and he thought of me.” Brooks joked.That “football star” the Soldiers they were happy to stop
Originally, Brooks was headed to was none other than Terrell Suggs, and chat with us.”
Tinsel Town as an official temporary linebacker for the recent Super Bowl When asked to recall her favorite
duty with the Army covering the champions, the Baltimore Ravens. interview, Brooks said it was a tie
costs. Due to money constraints During their trip, the sisters between Robin Roberts and Halle
in a tight fiscal environment the stayed with their cousin, Corey Berry.
Army decided not to fund the trip. Sales, who lives in California. On her “I was barely able to get Halle,”
Undeterred, Brooks volunteered to first day in L.A., Brooks was at the Brooks recollects.“The red carpet
perform the mission and pay for Dolby Theatre, home of the Academy was so crazy and the stars were
the trip herself.“This is a once-in- Awards ceremony, bright and early. being pulled in a million different
a-lifetime opportunity, Brooks said. “Although I had press credentials, directions. But once I told her what
“Not many people can say they were Lela and Corey had to be there really huge fans the Soldiers were of her
movies she jumped right in and gave
them a shout-out.
“Robin was probably the most
moving. I didn’t realize her father
was one of the famous Tuskegee
Airmen so that was really interesting
to hear about,” said Brooks.
Col. Martha K. Brooks, After about two hours of working
center, worked the red the red carpet, Brooks and her family
carpet at this year's went across the street to a theater
Academy Awards for the where they ate and watched the
Army's Office of the Chief awards show on a giant screen.
of Public Affairs. Brooks' But her busy week didn’t stop
mission was to engage there.
celebrities and solicit
Brooks went on to attend the
encouraging words for the
Jimmy Kimmel, Ellen DeGeneres and
troops.
1 4 ACC TODAY | SPRING 2013 | www.acc.army.mil
15. Actress Halle Berry poses for a
picture with Col. Martha K. Brooks
on the red carpet at the 85th
Professional Workforce
Academy Awards Feb 24, in Los
Angeles, Calif. (U.S. Army Photos
by 302nd Mobile Public Affairs associate who looked strangely
Detachment) familiar.
“We were waiting for our table
her family. During a bike ride along and my cousin’s co-worker came
the beach they stopped to admire in and everyone started swarming
Jay Leno shows. the multi-million dollar mansions. him yelling ‘Kobe, Kobe’ but he was
During one such stop she met one saying ‘I’m not Kobe’.”
“Kimmel was neat because of the home owners, producer Paul
during commercial breaks they Turns out, the co-worker was
Abbott. He invited Brooks and her Kobe Bryant’s cousin and they bear a
would ask the audience to give family in for a tour and then had
factoids or questions and the rest striking similarity. Soon, Kobe arrived
them back for a sunset dinner. and joined the table.
of the audience would try and get
the correct answer. I got up every “Paul and his family were so “The camera flashes and attention
time to give facts about the Army generous, I couldn’t believe the were insane,” recalled Brooks.“And I
and really got them interested.There hospitality. And of course his home didn’t even think to get my camera
were even a couple of other Soldiers was amazing,” said Brooks. out because there were so many
in the audience so they jumped in But that wasn’t the end of her people already bothering him. He
as well. At the end of the show I was chance meetings. Her last night in couldn’t stay long but it was cool to
given a prize for having the best L.A. proved to be eventful as well. meet him.”
questions,” Brooks said. “During the week I went to my With her whirlwind trip behind
“But Ellen was probably my cousin’s office, he’s an Air Force her, Brooks says she’s grateful for the
favorite.They played music during contractor, and they briefed me opportunity.
the breaks and had a dance contest, on their current projects. After the “I will definitely go back for El-
which I won, and when the show briefing they invited us to dinner. len’s Christmas show, so this isn’t my
was over Ellen invited the entire Since it was our last night in town last trip to California. But the access
audience back for her special ‘12 they insisted we go to a famous, and red carpet experience was a
days of Christmas’ show.” exclusive restaurant.” lifetime memory that I’ll never forget.
After all the shows, Brooks Once at the restaurant, the I’m just glad I got to represent the
decided to take in a few sites with group was met by another business Army and help spread our message.”
ACC receives five awards for contracting excellence
By Beth E. Clemons Outstanding Contracting Officer - The Secretary of the Army Awards
ACC Office of Public & Congressional Affairs Systems, Research and Development, for Excellence in Contracting were
beth.e.clemons.civ@mail.mil Logistics Support (Sustainment) established in 1997 to recognize
Contracting: James M. Owens,ACC- contracting and acquisition
EL PASO, Texas – The U.S.Army Redstone,Ala. professionals that excel in
Contracting Command collected
timeliness, customer support and
five awards at the 2012 Secretary of Outstanding Contracting Officer - contracting innovation and led to
the Army Awards for Excellence in Installation Level – Directorate of process improvements and specific
Contracting ceremony. Contracting: Sandra E. Kim, 413th achievements in supporting the
The awards ceremony recognized Contracting Support Brigade, Hawaii contracting mission worldwide.All
teams and individuals in 11 categories military and civilian Army contracting
and was held Jan. 28 at the El Paso Outstanding Unit/Team Award -
Systems, Research and Development, professionals are eligible for these
Marriott in conjunction with the awards.
Assistant Secretary of the Army Logistics Support (Sustainment)
Contracting: Fiscal Year 2013-2015 The awards were presented by Heidi
(Acquisition, Logistics and Technology)
Stryker Life Cycle Requirements Shyu, assistant secretary of the Army
Principal Assistant Responsible for
Contract Team,ACC-Warren, Mich. (Acquisition, Logistic and Technology)
Contracting Workshop.
and Kim Denver, deputy assistant sec-
ACC award winners are: Outstanding Unit/Team Award: retary of the Army (Procurement).
AbilityOne Program: Deborah A.Ault, Installation Level – Directorate of
Mission and Installation Contracting Contracting: Regional Contracting
Command, Fort Knox, Ky. Office Hawaii, 413th Contracting
Support Brigade.
www.acc.army.mil | SPRING 2013 | ACC TODAY 15
16. Questions and Answers:
Mr. Kim Denver
Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army (Procurement)
Robert DeVisser (left), chief, Regional Contracting
What is the goal of the single Who is managing and providing Office – Bogota, Colombia greets Kim Denver
Army Contract Writing and oversight of this effort? during a recent visit to Columbia. (Photo by
Lauren Schmidt)
Management System and what
are the benefits of having one
system?
W ith the approval of the
Assistant Secretary of the
Army for Acquisition, Logistics, and
continues to have executive agency
responsibility for all theater-based
Technology, we have established a
I n response to the October
2011 mandate from the Office
of the Undersecretary of Defense
formal product manager under the
U.S. Army Program Executive Office
(operational) contracting, so the
solution we identify must be readily
deployable to any environment, to
for Acquisition,Technology, and Enterprise Information Systems support any mission, anywhere.
Logistics, to discontinue the use of as the material developer of the
the current, joint Department of proposed system. In conjunction Will the system be required and
Defense contract writing system (the with that action, as the deputy used Army-wide? DoD-wide?
assistant secretary of the Army for
Standard Procurement System) by
the end of fiscal year 2015, the Army
now has an opportunity to transition
Procurement, I appointed the U.S.
Army Contracting Command to
T here is no one-size-fits-
all contract writing and
management system. That being
to a single, enterprise, contract act as my agent to establish and
said, within the Army we must have
writing system which will increase staff a contracting capabilities
a single solution. We are sharing
business process efficiencies, management office on behalf of
the results of our market research
support compliance with the Federal the Army contracting enterprise.
and capabilities analysis with the
Financial Management Improvement The CMO will function as the other services/agencies so they can
Act of 1996, and better integrate capabilities developer to elicit, curate, leverage our lessons learned. It is
with existing Army enterprise and refine a set of unified functional not the Army’s intent, however, to
resource planning solutions. requirements with the participation develop a DOD-wide solution.
The Army’s proposed solution will from each of our Army contracting
The mandate from the Honorable
decrease the number of complex activities and our stakeholder partners
Mr. Frank Kendall, undersecretary
interfaces and foster auditability (e.g. finance, logistics). The CMO will
of defense (Acquisition,Technology
while simultaneously promoting present those requirements to our
and Logistics) is actionable on each
the Department of Defense’s procurement systems governance
of the DOD services and agencies.
procure-to-pay acquisition focus board, chartered to oversee the
Specifically, Mr. Kendall has said
area. The Army will streamline its orderly development and deployment
that “...as emerging technologies
current use of two independent of procurement systems across the
and contracting capabilities no
contract writing solutions into a Army contracting enterprise.
longer require a ‘one-size-fits-all’
single enterprise approach that approach to system development
will be utilized in all facets of the
What are the biggest challenges
and implementation, one contracting
Army contracting mission, such as in providing this type of system?
system for the whole department
installation support, contingency,
construction, major weapons
systems, grants and agreements, and
W ithout a doubt, our biggest
challenge in the face of
fiscal uncertainty is to identify the
is not envisioned.” Consequently,
the Army’s approach is to identify
a single solution, based on a best
secure environment contracting. right set of functional contracting value approach that will best meet
capabilities to meet our full the Army’s full-range contracting
spectrum contracting mission, and mission needs. Once identified
marrying those capabilities into and deployed, the system will be
an affordable, efficient software mandatory for all Army contracting
solution. Additionally, the Army activities, both CONUS and OCONUS.
16 ACC TODAY | SPRING 2013 | www.acc.army.mil
17. Kim Denver, is the deputy assistant secretary of
the Army (Procurement) and manages the Army’s
procurement mission including development
and dissemination of policies, processes and
contracting business systems. He directs the How will this help the
evaluation, measurement and continuous contracting workforce? Will it
improvement actions for more than 240 Army make contracting more efficient
contracting offices worldwide. and effective?
W e believe a single approach
to contract writing, with
an enterprise approach in mind,
will result in significant process
“We envision a system that will assist the efficiencies since it will eliminate
goals of improved financial management redundancies and establish a
single process baseline, facilitating
through increased emphasis on audit more efficient and timely training.
Our initial analysis incorporated
readiness and accountability.” operational, management,
usability and technical/functional
use of SPS and decommission the requirements needed to meet or
When do you think the new exceed our current capability.
software no later than the end of
system will be ready for fielding?
September 2017. With those goals There will be a degree of
T he USD(ATL) mandate is to
cease creating all contract
actions with the legacy Standard
in mind, and notwithstanding any
unforeseeable roadblocks, we are
striving to identify a sustainable
business process reengineering
that will result in more effective
contracting related business
Procurement System contract writing solution, with a phased approach to practices. By employing a solid
system by the end of September deployment and training as early as business process reengineering
2015, and to fully terminate the the first quarter of fiscal year 2016. process, we hope to gain significant
efficiencies through adaptability and
interoperability to external systems.
In addition, our goal is to support
the priorities of the DOD Financial
Improvement and Audit Readiness
Plan by ensuring the contract
writing solution facilitates the
financial community’s requirement
to derive auditable financial
statements based on data derived
from the contract document.
We envision a system that will
assist the goals of improved financial
management through increased
emphasis on audit readiness and
accountability. Overall, our goal
is to streamline acquisition end-
to-end business processes, reduce
operating, maintenance and support
costs, and to decrease and, where
applicable, mitigate the number
of existing and future interfaces.
Kim Denver and Maj. Gen. Camille
M. Nichols, commanding general,
Army Contracting Command, discuss
contracting initiatives during a recent
meeting . (U.S. Army Photo)
www.acc.army.mil | SPRING 2013 | ACC TODAY 17