GPC program efforts earn DOD recognition

By Daniel P. Elkins, Mission and Installation Contracting Command Public Affairs OfficeAugust 24, 2016

GPC program efforts earn DOD recognition
Leroy Griffith was presented a letter of appreciation by LeAntha Sumpter to acknowledge his fiscal 2015 efforts during the General Services Administration SmartPay Training Forum Aug. 2-6 in Washington. Griffith is a Government Purchase Card program ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas -- (Aug. 24, 2016) A Government Purchase Card program officer here was recognized earlier this month by officials from the office of the undersecretary of defense for acquisition, technology and logistics for improving program performance while greatly reducing delinquencies command-wide.

Leroy Griffith was presented a letter of appreciation by LeAntha Sumpter to acknowledge his fiscal 2015 efforts during the General Services Administration SmartPay Training Forum Aug. 2-6 in Washington. Sumpter is the deputy director for program development and implementation for defense procurement and acquisition policy at the office of the undersecretary of defense.

Sumpter underscored the size and scope of the Mission and Installation Contracting Command GPC Program, which is the largest in the Army and during fiscal 2015, included 32 MICC contracting offices, 31 Army command customers, 12 GPC Level-3 hierarchies, more than 12,000 cardholder accounts and approximately $750 million in annual spending.

"The fact that you were able to maintain MICC GPC operations and improve overall program performance … despite the departures of the MICC GPC chief and a business manager is highly commendable," she wrote. "Your leadership and GPC expertise have been instrumental in providing effective GPC policy, guidance, oversight and program support."

Griffith said he greatly appreciates the recognition but is quick to also place credit where it is due.

"Managing the GPC Program is a team effort," he said. "The folks in the field exercised aggressive account administration and maximized GPC internal controls to aid in the success MICC has experienced in the GPC program."

The Army holds a standard that its total receivables at U.S. Bank not exceed 0.75 percent over 60 days past due. In fiscal 2014, the MICC delinquency rate soared to 3.32 percent that equated to more than $5.2 million delinquent in cardholder accounts. With the implementation of metrics across the MICC to closely track that measure, the fiscal 2015 rate dropped to 0.35 and less than $620,000 in delinquencies. This represented a 745-percent improvement in the GPC Program from fiscal 2014 to 2015.

"In leveraging the maximization of GPC rebates earned, our command is promoting effective program management and efficient processes in support of our Army command GPC programs," said Ray Estrada, chief of the MICC GPC Program Management Office.

Estrada explained that by ensuring billing officials promptly certify their monthly statements and resource managers confirm successful payment of the monthly invoice, GPC program agency and organization program coordinators are helping MICC customers to minimize their delinquencies, which is a key factor in increasing rebates earned. The MICC returned a total of $19.9 million in rebates for fiscal 2014 and 2015.

"It is important to note that unlike the majority of Army GPC programs that keep the GPC earned rebates for themselves, the MICC is one of the few organizations where our efforts in maximizing rebates has a direct benefit to our customers," Estrada added. "The funds from rebates earned provides our Army customers with additional funding to support their mission requirements."

Through mid-August this fiscal year, the MICC delinquency rate is 0.033 percent. The command estimates that it will return more than $9 million in rebates to its Army customers this fiscal year.

Headquartered at JBSA-Fort Sam Houston, Texas, the MICC is made up of more than 1,500 military and civilian members responsible for contracting for Soldiers. In fiscal 2015, the command executed more than 36,000 contract actions valued at more than $5.2 billion across the Army, including $2.25 billion to American small businesses. The command also managed more than 600,000 Government Purchase Card Program transactions in fiscal 2015 valued at an additional $747 million.

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