COLUMBUS, Ohio –
Dalton Tullius is graduating this month from the Defense Logistics Agency Weapons Support (Columbus) Pathways to Career Excellence program as a pre-award contract specialist. He began his PaCE journey in March 2024.
Why did you first apply to the PaCE program?
I was looking for a career change at the time to try something new. The PaCE program gives people the chance to grow into their new roles. I also have family members that went through the PaCE program that explained all the great opportunities that come along with it.
What is your professional background?
I have eight years of experience in operations management, leading teams of associates and supervisors to meet operational goals and managing projects to create safer and more efficient environments. A majority of this time was spent with Amazon working in Robotic Distribution Centers.
What are the biggest challenges you face in your role in the PaCE program? How do you overcome them?
Some of the bigger challenges are when you get a PR that has requirements that you have not worked on before. To overcome this challenge, you need to get comfortable being uncomfortable and remember that everything is doable that you are asked to do in this role.
What's something that most people don't know about your job?
I would say how much time you can be on the phone calling vendors. This isn’t so much a requirement, however I have found when you need information fast calling works the best. This also creates opportunity to get to know your vendors on a more personable level.
What trends do you see shaping your job role in the future?
AI would be the biggest trend as I believe it will provide the most reliable tools for contract specialists to use. You can use this for research, writing email and narratives more effectively, and to guide you overall when you’re stuck on a thought or problem.
What makes a good fit for someone in your position?
Building relationships is what comes to mind the most because it helps when you are dealing with a lot of the same vendors and internal coworkers. You want to be comfortable with them and vice versa. Also, vendors are more willing to provide answers and negotiate.
Being goal driven is another great quality because at first the production piece of this role can be daunting to some. Creating goals on a month-to-month basis has helped me focus and prioritize what I need to do.
Last thing that comes is to be a team player and collaborate. In this job you work with material planners, general supply, engineers, legal, small business and others to get these purchase requisitions to award. You need to be able to work with all disciplines to make the best decisions and enhance creativity.
How would you describe your job to someone unfamiliar with it?
The primary goal is to acquire supplies for the customer in a timely and cost-effective manner. This includes planning, market research, creating solicitations and sending them out (letting vendors know what we want), evaluating the quotes received, negotiations and awarding the contract out.
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/.