POSITION AND UNIT: Contracting Officer/Team leader, Army Contracting Command – Aberdeen Proving Ground
YEARS OF SERVICE IN WORKFORCE: 13
DAWIA CERTIFICATIONS:Level III in contracting; Level I in program management
EDUCATION: B.S. in business marketing, Towson University; Level III certified in contracting; Level I certified in program management
Walking a familiar path
By Susan L. Follett
For Donna Bader, following in her family’s contracting footsteps will likely require several pairs of comfortable shoes and considerable endurance: her family’s legacy totals more than 100 years. Bader’s mother was a contracting officer, division chief and supervisor in what is now known as the Army Contracting Command – Aberdeen Proving Ground (ACC-APG) Edgewood Division, and retired in 2004 with 35 years of service. Her aunt marked 42 years of service for the Chemical Research Laboratories at APG-Edgewood. And Bader’s sister, who also works for ACC-APG as a contracting officer, has approximately 30 years of service.
So far, Bader has notched an impressive 13 years in her work as a contracting officer and team leader for ACC-APG. “I was inspired by their commitment to public service and wanted to pursue the same career,” said Bader, who considers her mom to be her most important mentor. “I really enjoy working on a team that is committed to helping find the best solutions to superior service to the Army. I am constantly impressed by the level of commitment my team demonstrates and the pride they take in their work.”
What do you do in your position, and why is it important to the Army or the warfighter?
As a team leader/contracting officer for my team, which supports several customers in the national capital region, I coordinate and manage my team’s workload to provide the full range of acquisition services to support specific customer missions. I am also a business advisor to my customers: I help them develop and execute tailored solutions for their acquisitions. My customers ultimately provide the Army’s budget to Congress and determine that funding is being appropriated in the most efficient manner to protect the warfighter.
What’s something most people don’t know about the work that you do?
Most people, especially our customers, don’t realize the necessity of market research, even today. They do not realize that the contracting process cannot really begin until market research has been satisfactorily completed. And they certainly do not realize the importance of market research when executing a justification and approval for a sole source. Contracting and the requiring activity work closely to create a market research report that satisfies the requirements of the Office of Small Business Programs while also ensuring that my customer is able to solicit from the widest available contractor community that will satisfy their requirements. The pressure to move ever-larger procurements into the small business arena and ensure that the small business successfully performs is immense.
What do you see as the most important points in your career with the Army Acquisition Workforce, and why?
One of the most important points in my career was becoming a contracting officer. The responsibilities and duties that come along with that position are very challenging as well as rewarding. Each day serves as a new learning experience, which improves my overall decision-making ability in order to support and protect the warfighter.
Can you name a particular mentor or mentors who helped you in your career? How did they help you? Have you been a mentor?
My mother was my most influential mentor up until her retirement. She kept me focused on what was most important, even during the most hectic of times in procurement. In addition, I have had excellent supervisors who have mentored me by sharing the knowledge they have gained from years of experience in the acquisition field. I consider my position as a team leader as my opportunity to mentor my team members on a daily basis. I especially help the newest members of my team make decisions to further their careers in the Army acquisition workforce. This is my way to give back to everyone who has helped get me where I am today.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to get where you are today?
Take advantage of any learning opportunity that comes your way, and take on those challenges that seem just out of reach. Once completed, those challenges will make you a better contracting officer as well as providing a sense of accomplishment. Those accomplishments prepare you to move on to the next level of your career.
“Faces of the Force” is an online series highlighting members of the Army Acquisition Workforce through the power of individual stories. Profiles are produced by the U.S. Army Acquisition Support Center Communication and Support Branch, working closely with public affairs officers to feature Soldiers and Civilians currently serving in a variety of AL&T disciplines. For more information, or to nominate someone, please contact 703-805-1006.
Subscribe to Army AL&T News is the premier online news source for the Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology (AL&T) Workforce.
Subscribe
