FORT LEE, Va. –
My DCMA showcases the Defense Contract Management Agency’s experienced and diverse workforce and highlights what being a part of the national defense team means to them. Today, Tessa Tobias shares her story.
My name is Tessa Tobias, and this is “My DCMA.”
I am the agency’s support agreement manager. My job duties include providing the oversight and management of the agency’s support agreements and occupancy agreements. I monitor the preparation of these agreements and facilitate the coordination and approval of them.
Support agreements are negotiated reimbursable and non-reimbursable arrangements between parties to provide or receive support. Support agreements are established in the event that an organizational element cannot support itself in areas outside its core missions with its authorized assets. Occupancy agreements are requested when space is required for DCMA employees. Occupancy agreements are executed with the General Services Administration to define both the financial specifics of the underlining lease contract and the responsibilities of both GSA and DCMA. Occupancy agreements are similar to subleases.
I have been a part of the DCMA team for eight years. I like working at DCMA because our mission supports the warfighters. Over the last eight years, I have gained a better understanding of contract management and how it aligns with supporting our warfighters. One of the great things about working at Fort Lee is I feel a strong sense of connection to active duty military. When I drive around Fort Lee, I am able to see today’s service members train and represent their respective service branches.
DCMA is important to America’s warfighters because the agency ensures the timely delivery of quality and affordable products. We provide the relevant acquisition insight, which supports our customers by helping them maintain military readiness.
Over the years, I have been a part of the agency’s major reorganization and realignments in support of our overall agency mission. I believe those changes account for the agency’s accomplishments and continued support to the warfighters. I am most excited about our continued commitment to supporting our warfighters. Last year, the agency celebrated its 20th anniversary, and as I look back during that timeframe in 2001, I was assigned to the 35th Air Defense Artillery Brigade at Fort Bliss, Texas.
My goal for this year is to continue to work with my team toward the agency-wide implementation of Government-Invoicing, also known as G-invoicing. The system will provide a fully transparent end-to-end process for all government transactions. G-invoicing provides a mechanism to exchange consistent accounting data and better communication between DCMA and its trading partners. This will result in cost savings and better audit results.
My hobbies include reading, riding my motorcycle, and spending time with my family. In the future, I would like to travel more and start my own interior decorating business. Something unique about me is I enjoy researching and learning new things, especially topics related to news, history, gardening, traveling and interior decorating.