REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. – Source selection plays a pivotal role in Army contracting, enabling the evaluation of competitive bids or proposals to secure optimal value for government procurement contracts. In a bid to bolster these essential skills, the Army Contracting Command-Redstone Arsenal (ACC-RSA) Source Selection Advisory Team (SSAT) recently participated in an immersive workshop conducted by Defense Acquisition University South (DAU South). The initiative aimed to enhance the expertise of contracting professionals responsible for managing multimillion-dollar acquisitions.
As ACC-RSA prepares for an upcoming procurement, Summer McDermott, senior procurement analyst for the SSAT, emphasized the significance of the training.
“As we transition from the virtual world, we want to get back in the room with folks and focus on hands-on collaboration and brainstorming,” said McDermott. “We’re seeking ways to enhance our current resources, tools, and approaches.”
The workshop’s centerpiece, the Source Selection Simulation (Triple S), provided participants with a comprehensive experience of the source selection process. DAU instructors broke the process into structured segments, highlighting the objectives and precise steps required at each stage.
First row representing ACC-RSA: Summer McDermott and Andrea Ball
Second row representing DAU: Vick Peltier, Jordan Miller, Lawrence Kokocha, and David Hackler. VIEW ORIGINAL
Eighteen contracting professionals and technical evaluators from ACC-RSA and one of their mission partners gathered at DAU South’s Redstone Arsenal campus for the intensive four-day training. The exercise involved the development and production of a munition requirement valued at approximately $140 million.
The training walked participants through the entire source selection process, compressing the usual three- to six-month timeline into four days. It covered everything from proposal evaluations to selecting an awardee and conducting debriefings with unsuccessful offerors. The joint effort addressed inconsistencies in practices, encouraging a more standardized approach to source selection.
During the workshop, the SSAT and its mission partner collaborated to share resources, innovative strategies, and lessons learned. The training also identified gaps in skill sets and knowledge, ensuring a comprehensive approach to capability building.
Beyond the workshop, the SSAT offers two mandatory courses tailored for competitive actions exceeding $50 million. Quarterly meetings between ACC-RSA and DAU are scheduled to foster continuous collaboration, share insights, and enhance training opportunities.
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