TACOM recognizes emergency contract support

By Daniel P. Elkins, Mission and Installation Contracting Command Public Affairs OfficeAugust 21, 2014

TACOM recognizes emergency contract support
Del Celano is being recognized for her responsive actions in handling an emergency requirement to repair a vessel that was supporting the Balikatan 2014 exercise. Celano is a contract specialist for the Mission and Installation Contracting Command at... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas (Aug. 21, 2014) -- A contract specialist at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, is being praised for her responsive actions in handling an emergency requirement to repair a vessel that was supporting the Balikatan 2014 exercise.

Del Celano is being recognized in a personal note by Brian Butler, the executive director for the U.S. Army TACOM Life Cycle Management Command's Integrated Logistics Support Center at Warren, Michigan.

The Mission and Installation Contracting Command member works in the vessels division of the contracting office that provides supports for TACOM's watercraft sustainment maintenance mission. Celano teamed with members in her office, TACOM's Watercraft Inspection Branch and resource management to successfully award a contract in nine working days from receipt of the acquisition package.

"I was surprised and very honored to learn TACOM was recognizing the efforts put forth to procure the emergency repairs to Landing Craft Utility 2035," Celano said. "I would not have been successful if not for the support of the MICC and WIB team. I recognize I am only 'one spoke' of the wheel, and all the 'spokes' are necessary for the wheel to turn properly. I am truly honored and thankful."

LCU 2035 was supporting the Pacific exercise Balikatan 2014 in the Philippines in May when it experienced a port reduction gear failure near the Naha Military Port in Okinawa. The gear serves as a transmission for one of two propulsion systems. Within two weeks, repairs were identified, funding was secured and a contract was awarded for pier-side repairs in Okinawa.

Celano believes the relationship with the customer and market research proved critical in swiftly awarding the contract for repairs.

"The two most critical steps in any procurement are to develop a sound rapport with your customer and immediately begin the market research. You must have a rapport established with your customer in order to develop a team," she said. "Once the team is established, you will gain trust and confidence. In the contracting realm, a specialist will need the trust and confidence that will allow them to be successful. Finally, the market research is the cornerstone to any procurement action."

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