Contract Specialist at Army Contracting Command
Army Contracting Command gives reservist an additional opportunity to support the Soldier
By Warren Duffie

A former Army Reservist and current National Guardsman, Jose Vasquez makes a difference as a civilian contract specialist with the Army Contracting Command (ACC).

“The best part of my job is making a difference in the lives of Soldiers,” Vasquez said. “From night vision goggles and body armor to MREs and computers, I help support the American war fighter as a contract specialist at ACC. Because of my previous deployments, I appreciate how much this equipment means to our Soldiers and what kind of sacrifices they are making to secure our freedoms.”

On the Job
Vasquez discovered his current job in a magazine, spying an ACC ad seeking contract specialists. He submitted his résumé and within four weeks was offered a position in the command’s two-year career intern program in 2009. The full-time paid program allows new recruits to earn a living while learning all aspects of contract management on their way to a rewarding career as a contract specialist.

“On my résumé, I highlighted my civilian and military experience and described my deployments,” Vasquez said. “Contracting is a great career field.” “It’s very challenging and every day there’s something new happening. It’s exciting to be dealing with acquisitions for computer equipment worth several hundred thousand dollars as well as multimillion-dollar weapon systems.”

In his civilian capacity, Vasquez, 39, obtains materials needed to support Army operations worldwide. The Army is one of the world’s largest organizations, and it relies on the commercial marketplace to meet its needs for products and services. The ACC awarded more than $92 billion in procurement contracts in fiscal year 2010.

Vasquez works on contracts with expenditures ranging from several thousand dollars to more than a million dollars. With numerous duties, he manages all aspects of a contract – from soliciting proposals and setting price quotes to negotiating and renewing or terminating contracts.

“As an example, let’s say the Pentagon wants a new computer system built from scratch,” Vasquez said. “They will come to ACC with their requirements and we’ll do research to find the best-qualified companies for the job. Then we’ll solicit bids from the marketplace and show our findings to the Pentagon.”

In Uniform
A native of Hyattsville, Md., Vasquez enlisted in the Army Reserve in 2001 and continued there through April 2011. After that, he joined the Army National Guard.

 “My family came to the U.S. from Honduras in the 1960s. This country was very good to my family. The military was something I always wanted to do to give back, but I wanted to have a full-time civilian career as well. The Reserves offered me the best of both worlds.”

Vasquez completed basic training and human resources school at Fort Jackson, S.C. He served in Kuwait, Iraq, Haiti, Germany, Wisconsin, Georgia and New Jersey.

Joining the Army Contracting Command
While fulfilling his military commitment, Vasquez enjoyed a successful human resources career in the risk management insurance industry. However, in 2009, while pursuing an MBA, he found his new professional mission during a class on contract and project management.

Want to get into the contracting and acquisition fields? “Check out the Army’s 51 Charlie MOS. Look into getting a transfer there. It offers the skills you need to succeed in both the government and private sector. This is a goal that I want to achieve.”

Use your education benefits. “Take advantage of tuition assistance and the GI Bill. The government, as well as many companies, is big on education. You want to make yourself as marketable as possible.”

How’d You Get That Job?
In 2009, Vasquez found his new professional mission – in a class on contract and project management.

Vasquez purchased a membership with the National Contract Management Association. While reading the group’s monthly magazine, he spied an ad by the ACC seeking contract specialists. He contacted the ACC and submitted his résumé.  Within four weeks, he was offered a position in the command’s two-year career intern program – a full-time paid job that allows new recruits to earn a living while learning all aspects of contract management.

What Vasquez Likes About His Job

• Helping to take care of my fellow Soldiers.
• Each day is different.
• I’m always learning something new.
  

Army Contracting Command
Founded: 2008
HQ: Redstone Arsenal, Ala.
Employees: More than 5,500 people in more than 115 locations worldwide
www.acc.army.mil
www.armyhire.com

Did You Know?
The Army Contracting Command (ACC) employs more than 5,500 people in more than 115 locations worldwide and averages 50 job openings per month. The Army is one of the world’s largest organizations and it relies on the commercial marketplace to meet its wide-ranging needs for products and services.

Where Were You on Sept. 11, 2001?
Vasquez was in Fort Jackson, S.C.

“We were almost done with our MOS training, so we didn’t really have much to do that day. We were just hanging out in the barracks when one of our Soldiers came running upstairs to tell us a plane had just hit the twin towers. At first we thought it was some kind of a joke, because we didn’t think something like that would happen here in the states. But we found out this was no joke, and I knew then we were at war. About a year and a half later we were called up for deployment to the Middle East.”