DLA NewsWire

HATCH ACT OUTLINES RESTRICTIONS ON POLITICAL ACTIVITY BY FEDERAL EMPLOYEES

With the 2016 election season in full swing, people are getting involved in political activities and supporting their favorite party or candidate. However, federal employees need to be aware of legal restrictions on their political activity set forth in the Hatch Act.

The Hatch Act governs the political activity of employees in the executive branch, which includes DLA employees. Specifically, the Hatch Act forbids activity directed at the success or failure of a political party, a partisan political candidate or a partisan political group while the employee is on duty or in a federal building.

In general, all federal employees may:

• Vote;
• Express personal opinions about candidates or issues;
• Make monetary contributions to a political campaign or candidate;
• Display a political bumper sticker on a personal vehicle; and
• Attend and participate in nonpartisan activities not specifically identified with a political party.

However, DoD employees may not:

• Participate in any political activity while on duty or in a federal building;
• Use the insignia of a government office while participating in political activities;
• Display campaign photos, posters, bumper stickers or other campaign material in a federal building;
• Engage in political activity while using a government vehicle;
• Host a fundraiser for a partisan candidate; or
• Run for public office in a partisan election.

– Sara Thompson,
DLA Office of General Counsel

More online: go.usa.gov/xj3f5

DLA ENERGY WORLDWIDE ENERGY CONFERENCE TO RETURN

After a seven-year hiatus, Defense Logistics Agency Energy is bringing back the Worldwide Energy Conference to the Gaylord National Hotel and Convention Center, National Harbor, Maryland, April 10-12, 2017.

The conference and trade show will draw from the entire energy supply chain and provide an exclusive opportunity for Department of Defense employees, contractors, military representatives and industry experts to discuss trends and initiatives in petroleum, alternative fuel and renewable energy.

“The conference promises to reach new heights in featuring distinguished government and industry speakers addressing a multitude of energy issues,” said Bruce Blank, DLA Energy’s director of procurement process support.

For more information, call 844-883-5697.

– Irene Smith

More online: go.usa.gov/xjxmG

DLA EARNS DOD RECOGNITION FOR HIRING PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

The Defense Logistics Agency has been recognized by the Department of Defense as a model employer of people with disabilities. The agency was named Component of the Year, and DLA Disability Program Manager Eric Spanbauer was named Workforce Recruitment Program Coordinator of the Year for his work managing the program agency-wide.

The awards were presented by Peter Levine, acting undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness. He applauded the efforts of DLA and other organizations that partner with the Department of Labor to make the WRP a success.

The WRP places prescreened college students and recent graduates with disabilities in 14-week internships at federal agencies.

“The WRP is more than an internship program,” Levine said. “It is a vital pipeline of talent that supports a diverse, inclusive and mission-ready workforce.”

– Beth Reece

More online: go.usa.gov/xjakm

OLD FURNITURE GETS NEW LIFE HELPING LESS FORTUNATE

Hundreds of pieces of used barracks furniture were given to those in need instead of being tossed in a landfill thanks to teamwork between Defense Logistics Agency Disposition Services, Marine Corps Base Hawaii and Helping Hands Hawaii.

DLA employees coordinated with the General Services Administration for permission to donate more than 400 items, which included bed frames, sofas, chairs, desks and tables.

Property Disposal Specialist Gilbert Delagente said DLA employees found it “gratifying” that so much furniture could be reused “to help our homeless and the less fortunate people in Hawaii.”

– Tim Hoyle, DLA Disposition Services

More online: go.usa.gov/xjavh

DLA TROOP SUPPORT HELPS POWER FEMA WITH NEW GENERATORS

An entire region can lose electricity when disaster strikes, but a Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support contract for power generators aims to reduce the time affected communities are left in the dark.

The five-year contract will provide supplemental diesel power generators to the Federal Emergency Management Agency for disaster relief operations.

“FEMA has generators in stock in several locations. When a disaster hits, there is a possibility they might not have the size, or quantities of the size, they need to support the relief effort,” said Mary Ryan, a contracting officer for construction and equipment. “If that happens, they would tap into this contract to augment what they need.”

The generators can be leased for the amount of time FEMA requires and range from 15 kilowatt-hours up to 1 megawatt-hour, Ryan said.

– Jason Kaneshiro

 More online: go.usa.gov/xjCDR

The Defense Logistics Agency has announced its top performing industry partners for fiscal 2015 as part of the Department of Defense’s Superior Supplier Incentive Program.

The SSIP is an extension of DoD’s Better Buying Power initiative and is designed to incentivize contractor performance by identifying suppliers with the highest rankings in areas such as performance, quality and business relations.

“This program allows DLA to spotlight those companies that consistently perform well and deliver high quality products to our warfighters. They should be proud of this distinction,” said Matthew Beebe, head of DLA’s acquisition directorate. “We also hope it serves as a reminder to both industry and government personnel of the importance of having ongoing, open and honest dialogue about contractor performance.”

DLA considered its top 150 parts and commodity suppliers with the highest spends within a particular supply chain that have done business with the agency over the past two years. To be eligible for consideration, companies – or their subsidiary business units – had to have DLA contracts with a proven record of performance, as well as an established rating in the federal Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System.

Of those considered, 42 companies were selected as DLA’s superior suppliers based on the last three years of CPARS ratings, with the most emphasis placed on recent performance. The selected companies represent all of DLA’s major supply chains, include nine small businesses and collectively account for nearly $16.7 billion in DLA contract expenditures annually. Suppliers were categorized into three levels based on their performance and CPARS ratings: Gold, Silver and Bronze.

DLA’s superior suppliers for 2015 are listed in alphabetical order by performance level:

— DLA Public Affairs

More online: go.usa.gov/xjrJJ

DLA Energy Fiscal 2015 Fact Book

An organizational overview of the agency with a snapshot of the facts, figures and financial information from fiscal year 2015

    Get it online at: go.usa.gov/xDA9B