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News | Aug. 24, 2022

My DCMA: Crystal Labrecque, administrative contracting officer

By Tonya Johnson DCMA Public Affairs

My DCMA showcases the Defense Contract Management Agency’s experienced and diverse workforce and highlights what national defense team service means to them. Today, Crystal Labrecque shares her story.

My name is Crystal Labrecque, and this is “My DCMA.”

I am an administrative contracting officer with the Contract Lifecycle Management Center’s Houston Closeout Group. My job duties include negotiating and resolving the questioned direct costs for the Logistics Civil Augmentation Program, also known as LOGCAP, III and IV contracts. The vast majority of my workload has been closing out cost contracts from a variety of contractors.

As an ACO, I am responsible for reviewing closeout packets prepared by contract administrators. Together, we work to review final vouchers to ensure the cost to the government is accurate and that all required documentation is in the package prior to closing the contract in the mechanization of contract administration services system, or MOCAS.

I have been a part of the DCMA team for 10 years. I like working at here because the leadership team provides the tools I need to be successful, and I enjoy the flexible work hours. Some of the great things about working at my location include easy access to attending professional sporting events and the ability to fly almost anywhere in the world directly from Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport.

DCMA is important to America’s warfighters because the agency supports warfighters with the tools they need to be successful in their jobs.

DCMA has changed in the last decade. When I came to DCMA, we were all using desktop computers. The change to laptops made teleworking a reality and DCMA has embraced teleworking. As DCMA continues to evolve, I am excited about the agency’s effort to improve the computer programs and Information Technology initiatives that help us to do our jobs more efficiently. As the agency celebrated its 22nd anniversary this year, I remember that during that timeframe, I was living in Alaska and working for the Army Corps of Engineers as a contract specialist.

My future career goals include learning more about contract closeout and working with the Defense Finance Accounting Service to expedite contract corrections in MOCAS to allow contracts to closeout timely. My team and I want to exceed our goals in closing out contracts transferred to our office and to fully support the closeout of the LOGCAP III and IV contracts.

My hobbies include yoga and cycling. Something unique about me is that I lived in Alaska for 20 years. I then moved to Texas, which was a 180-degree lifestyle change.