COLUMBUS, Ohio –
Kaylee Mills is a current member of the Defense Logistics Agency Weapons Support (Columbus) Pathways to Career Excellence program. She began her PaCE journey in August 2024 and will graduate August 2026 as a pre-award contract specialist in the Strategic Acquisition Program Directorate.
Why did you first apply to the PaCE program?
I previously worked as a contract specialist for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in West Virginia. After moving to Ohio to be closer to family, I discovered the Defense Logistics Agency Pathways to Career Excellence program. The PaCE program offered the perfect opportunity to continue to grow in my government contracting career and support our warfighters by contributing to the acquisition of essential spare parts and repair components for military vehicles, weapons and equipment.
What is your professional background?
I worked as a contract specialist with USACE for a little over a year before joining DLA. Prior to USACE, I worked as a paralegal at a county prosecutor’s office in West Virginia. My experience as a paralegal provided me with a solid foundation in legal principles and the meticulous attention to detail required in legal documentation. Working as a contract specialist has been a natural extension of my paralegal background because it allows me to navigate legal and regulatory frameworks while contributing to operations that sustain national defense. It’s deeply fulfilling to know that my work directly supports those who dedicate their lives to serving our nation.
How would you describe the PaCE program to someone unfamiliar with it?
The PaCE program is a two-year DLA development program that provides immersive on-the-job training across acquisition and logistics disciplines such as contracting, supply chain management and quality assurance. The training I’ve received in the PaCE program is truly among the most comprehensive and effective training I have experienced. PaCE students are assisted by experienced mentors who guide each step and ensure that no student is left behind. This program has truly given me all the tools and support I need to develop into a competent contracting professional.
What are the biggest challenges you face in your role? How do you overcome them?
My team purchases Depot Level Repairable items for the Marine Corps Logistics Command in Albany, Georgia. Most of our procurements are for noncommercial items being purchased for the first time under sole-source contracts. This makes it particularly challenging to ensure that the government is paying a fair and reasonable price because there is no competition, price history or commercial information available to assist us. However, I overcome these challenges by requesting and analyzing informal cost breakdowns, utilizing first-time buy questionnaires to gather data and negotiating with vendors to secure prices that are fair and reasonable for the government. Additionally, I recently received my Simplified Acquisition Threshold warrant and became a contracting officer. Transitioning to a contracting officer role has challenged me to lean on my own contracting knowledge and ensure that every contracting decision is sound, justifiable and in the best interest of the government.
What's something that most people don't know about your job?
As a contracting officer, one of my primary responsibilities is to serve as a prudent steward of taxpayer funds and ensure that every contract is awarded at a fair and reasonable price. It cannot be overstated that contracting officers have an ethical obligation to the public to ensure that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently and effectively. Fulfilling this duty protects against waste and misuse of public funds and upholds the accountability of the federal acquisition system. It is my responsibility to make certain that each of my procurements are documented and fully justifiable, creating a clear audit trail that can withstand scrutiny from Congress, auditors and the public.
What makes a good fit for someone in your position?
I believe a candidate who has meticulous attention to detail, a commitment to ethical conduct and a drive for continuous learning makes them a good fit for my position. Ultimately, the PaCE program provides a comprehensive toolkit for success, but you will need to apply yourself and commit to continuous learning and personal growth to keep pace with the dynamic field of government contracting. More than anything, it’s important to hold on to the reason we do this work. On the toughest days, the knowledge that you are personally responsible for getting critical supplies to the warfighter is the most powerful motivation there is.
What trends do you see shaping your job role in the future?
DLA is increasingly adopting AI and automation to enhance operational efficiency. DLA is already using AI and automation to generate solicitations and awards, which significantly speeds up the procurement process. I believe that AI will eventually reshape the contract specialist role by allowing them to shift their effort away from administrative burdens and focus on more complex activities that require human judgment and expertise.
Editorial Note: The DLA Weapons Support (Columbus) Pathways to Career Excellence program is a two-year program based in Columbus, Ohio, that provides a structured career path with formal training, on-the-job assignments, cross-training and rotational assignments. PaCERs begin as general schedule 7s and can advance to GS-11or GS-12 upon completion. There are multiple pathways to becoming a PaCER, including being hired internally, as a recent graduate or from military service. For more information, visit www.dla.mil/Careers/PaCE/.