MANAMA, Bahrain — Naval Supply Systems Command Bahrain (NAVSUP) Fleet Logistics Center (FLC) has two Sailors participating in the NAVSUP Enlisted Contracting Officer (NEKO) pilot program, which aims to develop Navy enlisted personnel into skilled contracting professionals to better support the Navy of the future. Upon completion of the 24-month program, each Sailor will be professionally contracting certified and become a Navy Enlisted Classification (NEC) 722A contracting specialist.
The NEKO pilot program is designed to provide a career path for enlisted personnel to become contracting professionals. The program seeks to address the enterprise-wide challenge of maintaining a trained and ready procurement workforce to deploy contracting officers (KOs) around the world for contingencies and expeditionary operations and provide capabilities in the field.
The program is open to enlisted personnel, E-4 through E-7 level Sailors who have a bachelor’s degree in any major or who plan to earn a degree by the end of the 24-month program period. Successful applicants undergo a rigorous selection process before being selected for this exclusive opportunity. While the majority of the Navy’s procurement workforce is civilian, the program is designed to build the skill sets of Sailors to increase the Navy’s recruiting and hiring flexibility.
“We are truly fortunate to be able to take part in this exciting pilot program,” said Rick Bauer, director of contracting, NAVSUP FLC Bahrain. “The NEKO program prioritizes the growth and development of participants by providing enlisted Sailors with comprehensive training and mentorship from experienced contracting professionals.”
Program participants receive intensive training and mentorship to acquire the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively award and manage contracts. Participants take four Defense Acquisition University (DAU) contracting courses consisting of more than 196 hours of virtual instructor-led training, hands-on training, and self-directed study. The final exam is proctored, and program graduates receive a professional contracting certification.
“This program allows me and other supply professionals to gain valuable knowledge and skills that we can utilize in the Navy,” said LSC (SW/AW) Jaleka D. Muse, Fleet Logistics Center, NAVSUP Bahrain. “It gives me a top-down look at how things are done within the fleet. I look forward to expanding my knowledge toolbox and continuing to contribute and support the Navy.”
The NEKO program leverages the talent and dedication of enlisted personnel to expand the contract workforce and streamline the acquisition process to save time and resources. This increased efficiency enables the Navy Supply Command to find adaptive solutions to meet the needs of the warfighter. The NEKO program helps achieve the Navy’s core pillars of workforce development, knowledge acquisition and knowledge sharing. Through dynamic, interactive classroom and hands-on skills training, NAVSUP is developing the acquisition professionals of the future.
For more information about NAVSUP’s Enlisted Contracting Officer Program, contact Program Manager Amy Drake at amy.l.drake10.civ@us.navy.mil.
NAVSUP FLC Bahrain is one of eight FLCs under the jurisdiction of the Commander, NAVSUP. Headquartered in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, NAVSUP employs a diverse workforce of more than 25,000 military and civilian personnel from around the world. NAVSUP and Naval Supply Command, along with mission partners, implement and enable supply chain, acquisition, operational logistics, and Sailor and Family care activities to increase naval readiness around the world and ensure war is prevented and decisively won. For more information, visit www.navsup.navy.mil, www.facebook.com/navsup and https://twitter.com/NAVSUP.
Date taken: February 11, 2024 Date posted: February 11, 2024 07:03 Story ID: 463649 Location: BH Web views: 1,273 Downloads: 0 Public domain
This piece, “NAVSUP FLC Bahrain Sailor Selected for Contracting Officer Program,” is by Margaret Algarin, identified by DVIDS and is subject to the restrictions set forth at https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
