Fort Drum finds success in fielding contracting application

By Capt. Carolyn T. Nice, 925th Contingency Contracting Battalion contract specialistSeptember 18, 2014

Fort Drum finds success in fielding contracting application
Jerry Harvey provides instruction on the advantages of the Contracting Tactical Operations Center application to members of the Mission and Installation Contracting Command-Fort Drum, New York. Seated from left are Joshua Kauffman, Richard Smith, Jen... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT DRUM, New York (Sept. 18, 2014) -- Contracting members at Fort Drum, New York, are achieving favorable results following the implementation of improved business practices with the Contracting Tactical Operations Center database application.

Soldiers and civilians from the 925th Contingency Contracting Battalion and Mission and Installation Contracting Command-Fort Drum are organized into four divisions that include construction, business operations, supplies and services.

Contract specialists track new purchase request files in CTOC. The application allows teams for the first time to pull reports to view expected completion dates, period of performance, pre- and post-award information, and delivery dates.

"We have the opportunity to engage problems quickly and at the lowest level," said Lt. Col. Wyeth Anderson, the 925th CCBn and MICC-Fort Drum commander.

The CTOC is a real-time system that allows contracting officers and managers to monitor what is assigned, complete, canceled, on hold and behind as well as see the status of funding and other steps in the contract's lifecycle. Contracting officers and managers can also instantly view an entire perspective on the contracting team's status down to the individual contract specialist.

Battalion officials believe the CTOC application provides greater insight and improves management of a contracting team's workload while identifying gaps in training. The application also allows users to add comments for keeping contracting officers and management informed of a status without taking contract specialists away from their desks.

The successful execution of the acquisition mission keeps units and activities supported by MICC-Fort Drum well-equipped, well-protected and prepared for mission success.

Fort Drum customers and supporting outside sources can view status updates at any time of the day. Customers can contact any contract specialist, contracting officer or manager for an update on the stage of their purchase. Additionally, the small business specialist finds the tool invaluable when assisting small businesses in finding contract opportunities on Fort Drum.

"The unique key word search function allows the small business specialist to instantly find opportunities in the category of a specific small business," said Anthony Sligar, the deputy to the commander.

Additionally, Fort Drum is part of a pilot program that allows all administrative rights with the application.

"We are excited about the pilot program because we can update new customers, funding information, director's reports, and establishing organization levels all on our own," said Jennifer Earl, a MICC-Fort Drum procurement analyst.

Headquartered at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, Texas, the MICC is responsible for providing contracting support for the warfighter at Army commands, installations and activities located throughout the continental United States and Puerto Rico. In fiscal 2013, the command executed more than 43,000 contract actions worth more than $5.3 billion across the Army, including more than $2.1 billion to American small businesses. The command also managed more than 780,000 Government Purchase Card Program transactions in fiscal 2013 valued at an additional $880 million.

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Related: Officials fielding CTOC across command

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