Photo By Oscar Pope | NORFOLK, Va. - Lauren Heard, a contracting officer at Mid-Atlantic Regional...... read more read more
NORFOLK, Va. – This month, Mid-Atlantic Regional Maintenance Center (MARMC) recognizes Contracting Officer, Lauren Heard, for her work while serving on the USS James E. Williams (DDG 95) contracts team.
The guided missile destroyer’s Depot Modernization Period (DMP) availability was unprecedented, featuring a dual-path collaboration with the Southwest Regional Maintenance Center (SWRMC). This complex project involved managing two availabilities on one contract across two separate coastlines—the Mid-Atlantic and Southwest regions. Heard, alongside Chelsey Morrison, was pivotal in ensuring this availability stayed on course.
“Lauren and Chelsey have been instrumental in developing processes to execute Requests for Contract Change (RCCs) under a complex and unique contract structure—Undefinitized Contract Action (UCA),” said Cmdr. Justin DeVoe, deputy of contracting.
“A UCA is any contract action where the work has started but the terms of the contract aren’t defined yet,” explained Heard. “The UCO [Undefinitized Contract Order] is unique when an RCC adds money to the contract, then it’s an undefined change order, a function within the UCA.”
Despite funding constraints, the team managed to process over 380 RCCs valuing over $11 million. Heard aided in processing 56 Undefinitized Contract Orders (UCOs) valuing over $3.9 million.
“I have a great maintenance team and my leadership team has been super helpful in getting the UCOs settled,” said Heard. “The biggest challenge is always funding. But I overcame that challenge with persistence, always asking questions until I got an answer.”
Heard and Morrison overcame the complexities of the DMP with a plan of attack. They participated in numerous table-top exercises with Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA), Commander, Regional Maintenance Center (CNRMC), and other industry partners, where the duo discussed key lessons learned and evolving strategies.
“Despite the many obstacles facing the contractual administration of the availability, Lauren and Chelsey continue to develop and find ways to support the customer,” said DeVoe. “Their hard work and dedication to the mission is the driving force behind this availability staying on track to finish on-time or early.”
When Heard is not hard at work, she enjoys spending time with her family, tubing, and binge-watching Grey’s Anatomy. She hails from Woodbridge, Va., and humbly touts a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Old Dominion University.
Heard leaves us with the final thought, “Having a good work ethic is important to me because it is a display of gratitude to those who support you.”
MARMC, a field activity under Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA), provides surface ship maintenance, management and oversight of private-sector maintenance, and fleet technical assistance to ships in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States.
| Date Taken: | 08.13.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 08.19.2024 08:31 |
| Story ID: | 478840 |
| Location: | NORFOLK, VIRGINIA, US |
| Hometown: | WOODBRIDGE, VIRGINIA, US |
| Web Views: | 56 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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