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Joint contracting officers shop for you

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Mindy Bloem
  • 506th Air Expeditionary Group Public Affairs
KIRKUK REGIONAL AIR BASE, Iraq --  "We are your neighborhood shoppers, minus the money," quipped Tech. Sgt. Dana Jones, about her job as a Contracting Officer for the Joint Contracting Command - Iraq, deployed from Minot AFB, N.D.

However, don't be taken in by this facetious over-simplification; a contracting officer's duties are anything but simple, especially in a deployed environment.

At Kirkuk, they do what they would be doing back home, only under a different set of circumstances.

They support the mission by purchasing and managing base-wide operational contracts. This responsibility is accomplished through the awarding and administering of contracts for supplies, services and construction.

"It's like comparative shopping," said Sergeant Jones. "If someone has a requirement, we're making sure the price the government pays is fair and reasonable. And we are trying to promote competition; for instance, who's got the best price for whatever it is we need."

When the government cannot fulfill a specific requirement with its own manpower and resources, contracting officers solicit vendors from the local area to meet that requirement.

The contracting officers act as business advisors for units regarding contract purchases. They follow a specific set of rules and regulations that dictate how they should solicit for various types of projects.

"We handle the entire life cycle of a contract, from pre-award (review statements of work, funding documents, etc.) to award/administration (any changes to the contract, incorporation of policies, laws, etc.) to post-award (ensuring customer receipt and vendor payment, contract storage/disposal)," said Sergeant Jones.

This process was exemplified in the recent construction project on Thomas Avenue. Sergeant Jones explained the phases:

The Civil Engineer Squadron wanted to pave and patch up the potholes near the dining facility. Therefore, CE came up with a statement of work listing all the requirements (how much asphalt would be needed, amount of workers, etc.) Once finance approves funding and the statement of work is ready, the contracting officers begin soliciting vendors from the local area. The vendor who meets all the parameters of the agreement and wins the bid is awarded the contract. The contracting officers then meet with the vendor to explain things like passes, start and completion dates, etc. After the work has been finished and both parties are satisfied, the contract is closed out and the vendor is paid.

Being involved throughout the contract process can be stressful for the contracting officer, but also rewarding.

"My favorite part is seeing the finished project," Sergeant Jones said. "Seeing something go from start to finish, and seeing it work - the road is paved, the vendor is paid and the life of someone is improved. That's what I enjoy."

For Tech. Sgt. Rebbecca Drydol-Brandon, another contracting officer for the JCC - Iraq, deployed from Vandenberg AFB, Calif., the satisfaction comes in knowing she used her influence for good.

"The best part is we are entrusted with spending taxpayer dollars," she said. "Someone believes we have the judgment, the business sense to wisely spend this money. Having that warrant on our wall is a lot of power and responsibility, but having that responsibility and knowing you are directly affecting Iraqis and their economy, directly affecting the well being of people on base, someone's quality of life; knowing that because of us and our contracts their black water will be removed; knowing people can eat at the DFAC and not eat MRE's, makes this job important and can be quite exciting."

"For everything that's here, there's a contract somewhere, and someone in contracting is behind that contract," added Sergeant Jones. "The effects are far reaching."

In addition, the contracting officers here work in a joint environment and work with the contracts, not only with all the branches of service at Kirkuk, but also in the surrounding area, which include six other bases in Iraq.

With the many rules and regulation pertaining to contracts, Sergeant Jones admits she'll never be the expert.

"Some career fields you learn everything you can learn and then you are the go to person," she said. Contracting is so dynamic. You are constantly learning, and the rules are constantly changing. I try to glean from the people around me. If you haven't talked to at least two or three people about what you should do, you're probably making a mistake."