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News | June 19, 2018

Historic international moment warrants recognition

By Elizabeth Szoke DCMA Public Affairs

In an environment where Defense Contract Management Agency employees come and go due to international tours, a sense of continuity throughout the routine turnovers is vital to the success of a contracting office.

“Although American employees are rotating through our office at least every three years, our larger programs have begun before they arrive and continue long after they leave,” said Lori Hosie, a contract administrator who works out of the Ontario, Canada, office. “In addition, the unique host nation environment can result in a steep learning curve for new employees to our office.”

DCMA International leaders recognize continuity assets such as Hosie. Because of her qualifications and continued hard work for DCMA Americas, she recently became the only local national currently appointed as a warranted contracting officer for the agency.

International Commander Navy Capt. Sonya Ebright presented Hosie with the award. “I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to award a warrant to one of our local national DCMA employees and open up promotion opportunities to all of them,” said Ebright. “They deserve this opportunity, and I have no doubt that our agency will come to rely on them in other countries in addition to Canada.”

A warranted contracting officer has delegated authority to make contractually binding decisions, determinations and findings on behalf of the U.S. government. Therefore, a citizen of another nation who works for the agency, also referred to as a local national, can directly manage all aspects of contracts within that country.

“I do not take it lightly that I have been entrusted with the responsibility of an ACO warrant, and that I am one of the first local nationals to receive a warrant with DCMA,” said Hosie. “I appreciate the support that my command, supervisors and colleagues have provided in advocating for this historic and significant appointment.”

For the America’s contract management office, or CMO, three individuals hold active warrants. Only identified individuals in the contracting series with qualified education, experience and certification level, after passing a contracting officer’s review board, can be given a certification of appointment for duties as an administrative contracting officer for the U.S government.

Hosie began her agency career in 1996 as a procurement technician. She then transitioned into contracting in 2006.

“Our local nationals have years of experience that they bring to the team,” Ebright said. “For our region, they provide consistency and gladly share their corporate knowledge with the U.S. Government employees who move in and out of their countries so frequently.”

From Hosie’s perspective, she enjoys the challenges of regular rotations of people.

“I have had the advantage of working with and becoming friends with a diverse group of people over the past couple of decades,” Hosie said. “Some individuals have been subject matter experts on particular policies while others have introduced me to different perspectives and tools for managing my workload.”

This diversity of experience has helped Hosie facilitate strong and stable relationships with DCMA’s host nation partners. Her supervisor, Kelli Zagata, contracts director for DCMA Americas said Hosie’s proactive customer engagement throughout proposal development, contract award and administration helps maintain and foster agency relationships.

“Her extensive experience of our organization and in-depth knowledge of contracting issues and procedures relating to contract administration in Canada is invaluable,” Zagata said. “In an international environment with its many challenges, including employee rotation, I cannot begin to fairly articulate how instrumental Lori’s continuity and expertise has been to the success of DCMA America’s mission.”