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News | Jan. 30, 2019

Distribution team wins DLA Acquisition Excellence Award

By DLA Distribution Public Affairs

The DLA Distribution Acquisition Operations team received the DLA Acquisition Excellence award during the agency’s 51st annual employee recognition ceremony held at the McNamara Headquarters Complex Auditorium, Fort Belvoir, Virginia, Dec. 13.

 

The team was recognized for its accomplishments in contracting for an emerging DLA requirement to establish a transportation support capability in the Arabian Peninsula to serve as the primary conduit for cargo in support of the Trans-Arabian Network initiative. 

 

In the third and fourth quarters of fiscal year 2017, DLA Distribution was tasked with executing a proof of principle with commercial sources deemed capable of providing, maintaining and operating a contractor-managed transportation capability to include clearing boarder and customs requirements while meeting established delivery timeframes across the TAN. 

 

The team first sought to determine the viability to contract for: transportation capability (multiple trucks per week); ability to meet a timeline of no more than 18 days from notification to delivery inclusive of customs clearance on behalf of the U.S. government with duty free movement; and ability to demonstrate a 90-day proof of concept whereby sustained capabilities of requirements are achieved.

 

The team evaluated the responses to the sources sought and determined that five companies demonstrated the ability to meet the defined objectives.  As a result, the DLA Distribution team awarded a suite of contracts to the five sources deemed capable of meeting DLA’s objectives in the Area of Responsibility. 

 

The initial two contracts in support of the proof of principle were awarded within 45 days of approval of the requirement.  The remaining three contracts were staggered in order to allow each contractor at least 90 days to demonstrate their transportation capabilities. The proof of principle was conducted through the end of fiscal year 2017 and the first two quarters of FY2018.

 

According to DLA Distribution Acquisition Operations director Gene Surmacz, “Owing to effective contract management and outstanding contractor performance, the proof of principle was deemed a success.”

 

As a result of the effective proof of principle, they issued a competitive procurement in which a best-value/trade-off assessment was conducted, and the procurement process was complete within 126 days to ensure continuous support to the customer in the AOR.  Two contracts were awarded from the competitive posting and will provide support while DLA Distribution awards a long-term transportation effort to support the TAN.

 

“[The team’s] demonstrated commitment to the warfighter and dedication as acquisition professionals have had a direct contribution to meeting mission success,” concluded Surmacz.