Top contracting officer wins prestigious USACE award

By Chelsea SmithAugust 10, 2016

Top contracting officer wins prestigious USACE award
Jennifer Murphy-Mason, a Savannah District contracting officer, wins the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 2015 Procurement Contracting Officer of the Year for major contributions to two features of the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project. Murphy-Mason is p... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

SAVANNAH, Ga. - Besting more than 400 eligible procurement contracting officers across the Corps of Engineers, Jennifer Murphy-Mason was recognized nationally as the Procurement Contracting Officer of the Year for fiscal year 2015.

The award was part of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Excellence in Contracting Awards Program, which recognizes the contributions of top acquisition and contracting professionals who have achieved exceptional success both singularly and collectively. Each year only seven awards are presented to banner offices and individuals.

Murphy-Mason, a branch chief of Contract Execution and the contracting officer for two major features of the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project, managed 1,249 contract actions valuing $674 million during the nominating period. She served as business advisor and subject matter expert for several project development teams and ensured the timely awards of highly complex contracting actions, said Paige Blechinger, Contracting Division chief at the Savannah District.

Murphy-Mason coyly acknowledged the recognition as a testament of hard work but district leaders cited her efforts as critical to supporting organizational missions and initiatives.

"She set herself apart by building relationships with her customers, providing extraordinary customer service and applying her technical expertise to ensure all projects were prioritized and executed on time," Blechinger said.

Murphy-Mason oversaw the execution of the SHEP entrance channel dredging and dissolved oxygen injection system contracts, both major milestones in the SHEP's progression. She used her expertise to address hurdles faced on each project, Blechinger said.

"Throughout the procurement process both projects were at risk," Blechinger said. "But the time and effort she took made certain that the projects stayed on track."

She also employed best practices from other districts to enhance contract means and methods on large-scale projects. Her collaborative efforts resulted in the development of better contract requirements for the SHEP, Blechinger said.

President Obama defines the SHEP as a "We Can't Wait" initiative, which calls for the expedition of nationally and regionally significant infrastructure projects to help expand major ports in the U.S.. Vice President Joe Biden explained the SHEP's impact to the national economy when he visited the Savannah Port in September 2013 to discuss the importance of the infrastructure investment to exports, economic competitiveness and job creation.

As demonstrated by her recognition, Murphy-Mason's continued efforts will ensure significant district projects meet regional and national needs.

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