Photo By Spc. Landon Evans | U.S. Army National Guard Maj. Justin McQueen, Staff Sgt. Palance Baxter, and Staff...... read more read more
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FORT CAVAZOS, Texas -- The 1957th Contingency Contracting Team (CCT) from the Tennessee National Guard provided critical contracting to support to ensure mission success during the eXportable Combat Training Capabilities (XCTC) exercise at Fort Cavazos, Texas. The team executed nearly half a million dollars in contracts, covering essential services such as water removal, trash disposal and power service.
Maj. Justin McQueen, 1957th Contingency Contracting Team Leader of the 301st Troop Command and 30th Troop Command, led the contracting team during this year’s XCTC.
“When the Army needs equipment or services that it can’t source itself internally, and a commercial marketplace can, a member of the acquisition workforce, via a contract specialist and a contracting officer, will start engaging different types of procedures,” said McQueen. “Essentially, we’re acting as buyers for the Department of Defense.”
The team’s tasks included procuring air conditioners, generators, tents, portable toilets, food services and other vital resources to support mission success on site for our Soldiers.
“Throughout the XCTC exercise, the 1957th CCT has received ample support from civilian personnel from the Tennessee National Guard’s United States Property and Fiscal Office and the Logistics Directorate of the Joint Force Headquarters,” said McQueen. “Without their assistance, the CCT would not have been able to execute our contract actions during the course of the exercise.”
Tennessee is one of only a select few states that will maintain a contingency contracting detachment starting in September of 2024. Currently, only around 9,000 civilian and military personnel serve in the Army acquisition workforce. The 1957th CCT consists of three members: McQueen himself, Staff Sgt. Palance Baxter and Staff Sgt. John Patrone. The team is actively seeking to expand its ranks in preparation for its transition to a detachment-sized element.
McQueen emphasized that his goal is to raise awareness about the underutilized contingency contracting field and its high demand.
“We are a commodity that a lot of people don’t know about,” said McQueen. “It’s a high-demand career field, and my job as the unit commander is to bring visibility to this unit and showcase our capabilities. We’re not just desk-bound; we’re a dynamic team that provides critical support to military operations.”
The CCT ensures compliance with contract standards and deliverables through surveillance and oversight.
The team recently completed a successful deployment to Djibouti, Africa, where it provided contingency contracting support to the Combined Joint Task Force, supporting units across multiple countries in the Horn of Affrica region.
Members of the National Guard can gain valuable skills and certifications in contracting and acquisition through their service, opening up new career opportunities in both federal civilian roles and military careers.
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| Date Taken: | 06.17.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 06.17.2024 16:39 |
| Story ID: | 474159 |
| Location: | FORT CAVAZOS, TEXAS, US |
| Web Views: | 554 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Behind the Scenes: Tennessee Guard's 1957th CCT Drives Success at Fort Cavazos XCTC, by SPC Landon Evans, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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