understanding when something needs to be awarded and asking those specific questions and when something needs to be fielded, as opposed to just hav- ing a knee-jerk reaction and saying,
‘Oh, this has to happen right away.’ … You’re only going to learn about that through experience.”
Davis’ experience covers a broad spec- trum. He may serve as business adviser, contract administrator, lead negotiator, market researcher, proposal evaluator … the list goes on. He praised the Defense Acquisition University’s curriculum and said his Army Lean Six Sigma Black Belt training was particularly valuable in strengthening critical-thinking and problem-solving skills, but “I’d have to say on-the-job training is still the best way to learn this craft.”
Tat training would not be possible with- out good leadership, and Davis expressed gratitude to his superiors for the guidance they have given him. “All of my procuring
contracting officers and division chiefs during my time at PEO STRI have been exceptional mentors and friends,” he said.
SEEING IT THROUGH Of all his on-the-job achievements as a DA civilian, he is most proud of the CTC-IS award. Te six-year, $150 million contract, awarded in November 2012, will allow for the lease of commercial Long Term Evolution cell phone network technology to upgrade the aging instrumentation at the National Training Center (NTC) at Fort Irwin, CA, and the Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC) at Fort Polk, LA. Te existing technology was becoming obsolete and created difficulties for the Army in adapting to emerging requirements, Davis said.
“I take the most pride in this effort because it was a highly complex acquisition with a lot of visibility and a demanding customer (NTC, JRTC), and we were able to make an award ahead of schedule and without a protest. Te effort from market research
to award took over two years,” Davis said, but when they saw “the fruits of our labor, it was truly rewarding.”
His ultimate professional goal is “to award a contract for a major defense acquisition program as a procuring contracting officer and be able to see that program in action on the battlefield.”
Looking back to the day when he was headed toward a career in law or business, Davis is satisfied—relieved, even—that he chose the Army instead. It’s not just that the schedule is saner, leaving him time to take part in intramural football, basketball, softball and soccer teams against area Navy workers. Nor that he has time for a family life, starting with his wedding in October.
“I believe my job actually means something. I’m not just trying to turn a profit for a firm,” he said. “What I do every day actually puts capability in the hands of our Soldiers.
“A lot of my friends are in sales, and they’re always under pressure to sell something that, in some instances, they understand somebody doesn’t need. Every day I go to work, I know that what I’m trying to buy, someone actually needs it … to save their life.”
MS. MARGARET C. ROTH is the senior editor of Army AL&T magazine. She has more than a decade of experience in writing about the Army and more than three decades’ experience in journal- ism and public relations. Roth is a MG Keith L. Ware Public Affairs Award win- ner. She is also a co-author of the book
SET, HIKE
Davis waits for the snap at the line of scrimmage during an intramural football game against a local Navy team. Although demanding and dynamic, his Army acquisition career affords him time for activities like this one.
“Operation Just Cause: Te Storming of Panama.” She holds a B.A. in Rus- sian language and linguistics from the University of Virginia.
ASC.ARMY.MIL 157
WORKFORCE
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