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On any average day the USSOCOM acquisition team, the Special Operations Forces Acquirers, execute more than 200 acquisition programs and 400 projects, conduct more than 100 combat evaluations, execute more than 60 procurement actions, obligate more than $11 million, deliver more than 30 communications equipment and weapon systems, and field more than 37,000 rounds of munitions—a formidable effort by any means that has not gone unnoticed.
“For the first time the Special Operations Research, Development, and Acquisition Center was selected as the 2011 Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics recipient in three of three prestigious award categories—David Packard Excellence in Acquisition, Workforce Achievement, and Workforce Development,” said Mr. James Geurts, Deputy Director for Acquisition, U.S. Special Operations Command. “These annual awards are the top DOD acquisition awards, where USSOCOM goes head to head with other DOD agencies and the Services competing for recognition in acquisition excellence. To be recognized in one category is outstanding, for recognition in all three categories is an honor and true testament to the exceptional dedication and work of the entire SOF acquisition enterprise.”
The Packard Award honors four teams across the DOD; USSOCOM’s Program Executive Office SOF Warrior’s Personal Signature Management Joint Acquisition Team was chosen as one of the teams for demonstrating exemplary innovation and best acquisition practices. During a time when SOF operators were undergoing a globally expanding deployment posture, operational commanders submitted urgent requirements for more effective personal protective camouflage to reduce their detection by threat forces. The PSM Team rapidly responded to this combat need and, with careful and integrated planning, coordinated the development of three innovative camouflage patterns.
The Workforce Achievement Award recognizes excellent performance in the acquisition of products and services for the DOD, honoring those who represent the best in their acquisition disciplines. Lt. Col. Renee Holmes of PEO SOF Warrior and Mr. Terry Ricket of PEO C4 were both recognized for this honor. Holmes was honored for her contributions to acquisition in an expeditionary environment as Program Manager for USSOCOM’s Family of Special Operations Vehicles.
“My team was instrumental in providing wheeled mobility and equipment to the Warfighter to meet specific mission requirements when Services solutions did not,” said Holmes.
Ricket was honored for his work in leading a team to modernize the Fly Away Broadcast System, generating a transformational capability for the Military Information Support Operations community.
“Our team revolutionized the Fly Away Broadcast System program by reducing the system’s footprint by more than 70 percent,” said Rickert. “We gave MISO forces a highly mobile tactical asset for the critical day-to-day execution of their contingency mission.”
The Workforce Development Award acknowledges organizations that have made exemplary contributions to the career-long development of their workforces. SORDAC’s Human Capital Team of the Directorate of Resources and Analysis took this honor, winning the Silver award for their dedication in managing the workforce development program and human capital plan, launching new initiatives, and coordinating with other stakeholders in the Command and DOD. This award is particularly meaningful to SORDAC as it was earned during a year while steadily reducing staff size and cost of doing business while simultaneously increasing the support to the Warfighter.