For Nicholas Haas, there's nothing like impacting the mission.
As a contracting officer for the Army Contracting Command-Redstone Arsenal and a contracting specialist/officer for the Alabama National Guard, Haas has lots of opportunity to impact Soldiers by ensuring they have what they need to succeed at their mission.
"Being able to find creative ways to help our customers find innovative contract vehicles in order to get the customer and Soldier what they need in the field, as fast as possible, for a fair and reasonable price, is what gets me excited about coming to work every day," Haas said.
The enthusiasm and commitment that Haas demonstrates in his civilian work has garnered him the Contracting Officer of the Quarter award, which was presented to him at the ACC-RSA Town Hall June 15 by ACC-RSA executive director Becky Weirick.
Haas has been with ACC-RSA for nearly two years and a contracting officer for four years.
"ACC-RSA is a great place for acquisition employees who want opportunities to work on various programs, utilizing numerous types of contracts for products ranging from fixed wing aircraft and unmanned aircraft to Patriot and MLRS missile systems as well as contracts for services. There is just so much room to move around and grow at ACC-RSA. It's very exciting," Haas said.
Currently, Haas works as the AMCOM EXPRESS Task Order Re-Compete lead. AMCOM Express is the Expedited Professional and Engineering Support Services program the provides operational efficiencies and improved mission readiness for Redstone Arsenal contracts by using a suite of Blanket Purchase Agreements in four heavily used domains: Business and Analytical, Logistics, Programmatic and Technical, and Comprehensive Advisory and Assistance Services. By using Blanket Purchase Agreements, the contracting process is quicker and more efficient.
AMCOM EXPRESS manages yearly contract obligations totaling between $1.5 and $2 billion a year.
Haas work with AMCOM Express is primarily focused on overseeing service contracts with an emphasis on engineering services. He is also involved on incorporating changes in AMCOM EXPRESS that will make it an even more effective contracting option.
"We are streamlining and revamping the way AMCOM EXPRESS is awarding its Task Orders," he said. "I really want to ensure that this program is successful in that mission, and that we change it in a way so that EXPRESS continues to do business in a positive light, both for our customers and industry."
But, AMCOM EXPRESS isn't where Haas wants to focus his entire career.
"I love my current job. The EXPRESS Recompete Team is a great group of contracting professionals and I love working with them every day," Haas said.
"I would, however, love to see myself in a leadership capacity at some point in the future because I feel that my upbeat personality and can-do spirit would really rub off on my co-workers and we could accomplish exciting things for ACC-RSA and the Army. Eventually I want to get that leadership position, and strive to streamline and simplify the way Army awards its contracts, in any capacity that I can help."
Haas has shown that capacity for leadership in uniform. A captain in the Alabama National Guard, Haas is assigned to the 1169th Contracting Battalion in Huntsville. There are times when he reports to work at Redstone Arsenal in his Amy uniform, such as this past week when he was on post as a Guardsman contracting officer working with the 921st Contracting Battalion on deployment operational desk guides in preparation for an upcoming deployment for the 1169th. He has also served four years as an active duty Air Force officer and eight years in the Inactive Ready Reserves.
"I love serving this country and I take pride knowing that I am helping Soldiers on the front lines," he said.
Haas believes a good contracting officer also needs to be a creative contracting officer. They must have the ability to find creative and innovative ways to meet the customer's needs, while working with industry in a partnership to give Soldiers the tools they need to meet their mission, he said.
"My job is not to say 'NO, this contract action isn't possible' to my customer, but to say 'We may not be able to use THAT type of contract vehicle, but we can use THIS type of contract and we will get it done for you as fast as possible.' I feel that a good contracting officer understands the expectations our customers have, and goes above and beyond to help them acquire the goods or services at a fair market price, and ensure that the taxpayers' dollars are being executed in good faith so that we get the most bang for our buck," he said.
When others ask him about the key to success as a contracting officer, Haas counsels that they have to be willing to step out of their comfort zone and explore new ways of doing things. They also need to be able to keep up with the fast pace of the contracting environment as changes are made in contracting regulations and guidance, including the FAR, AFARS, Acquisition Instruction.
Changes can be challenging, he said, but they also provide new ways of executing contracts.
"It is imperative that to be the best at what we do, we are willing and open to seek out these new methods and learn how to use them to the best of our ability," Haas said.
"Our customers are relying on us to get them their services/supplies and we must be willing to work with them to meet the mission. At the end of the day, it's all about the end user -- the Soldier -- getting the tools necessary to do their jobs and we, as contracting officers, have a direct impact on that. So remember that during the daily grind - it really helps."
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