The purpose of this presentation is to educate contracts professionals in understanding the purpose of the Cost Accounting Standards, when these standards are applicable, how the implementing regulatory provisions are incorporated into contracts, and the challenges of monitoring your contracts for CAS compliance during the contract's life cycle.

The instructors will discuss:

This is a two-day course that provides the attendee with a detailed background on NASA source evaluation procedures. This course uses the identical course materials that are used for NASA employee SEB training. It condenses the 4-day course used to train NASA employees into two days. It covers the whole competitive process to include RFP development, evaluation factors, evaluation procedures and scoring of proposals. It also goes into detail on how NASA conducts discussions and calls for Final Proposal Revisions. It discusses the role of the SEB members, internal NASA SEB advisors as well as the Source Selection Official. The course is being offered with the approval of MSFC procurement. The goal is to make industry as familiar as possible with the NASA procedures to enhance meaningful competition and take some of the perceived mystery out of the process.

The Huntsville Chapter of NCMA (National Contract Management Association) offers an annual Leonard J. Crosby Memorial Scholarship to local students pursuing a degree in acquisition, contracts, procurement management, or business management. Any NCMA member, relative or non-member who is currently enrolled in a graduate or undergraduate degree program is encouraged to apply for this scholarship.

The guidelines for the Leonard J. Crosby Memorial Scholarship are as follows:

• Must be currently enrolled in a degree program (undergraduate or graduate).
• Must be in good standing at one of the institutions of higher learning offering courses in the Huntsville area.
• Must be pursuing a degree in acquisition, contracts, procurement management, or business management.
• Selection is based upon academic record, by attaining a minimum 3.3 overall G.P.A. on a 4.0 scale, potential performance in procurement field, need for assistance, and interest in pursuing a career in contract/procurement management.

The deadline for submittal of the application and required data is on or before April 30, 2009. Scholarship awards will be announced by May 31, 2009.

For additional information regarding the Leonard J. Crosby Memorial scholarship, please contact Kathy Stewart.

Guidelines

 It is an honor and a privilege to be selected once more to serve a second tour of duty as President of the Huntsville Chapter.

I am excited about the possibilities this coming year. We have a GREAT Team - a GREAT reputation - and a GREAT Chapter! With the strategic relocation of several key governmental organizations as a result of the Base Closure and Realignment Commission (BRAC), this community is primed to grow exponentially! By the time all of the relocations for the BRAC are concluded in 2011 - over 4,700 new people will be living in Huntsville as a result of job transfers. And, let me emphasize that these 4,700 do not include all of the new people moving to this community as a result of commercial industries that are moving here to set up and provide services and products not only locally but nationally and internationally as well. In short -- the benefits to North Alabama are limitless - the excitement in the air is electric - it brims with entrepreneurship and opportunity as we move forward into the future.

But while these are exciting times, they are challenging times as well. The contracting and acquisition workforce in both the public and private sectors is not getting any younger and eligibility for retirement is anticipated to triple by 2015. This is no secret. This imminent "tsunami" is coming at us with the force of a juggernaut - and unleashing dire consequences. The public and private sectors will compete fiercely over the dwindling availability of contracts professionals as we steamroll towards 2015. And in none other than this community - is this paradigm clearer, or more apparent. That competition is happening now. Every day, with the scant personnel resources available in this community, more Government organizations continue to relocate here, while private industry ramps up to meet the increasing demands and new, small enterprises pop up over the landscape.

As dire as one may think it is or it's going to get - this situation is a keen opportunity. If I had to condense what we do as a Chapter - what our mission is all about - it would be three little words: Education, Networking and Leadership. Those three words are the gateway to opportunity. It is an opportunity because we can help prepare the next generation to step up to the plate. It is an opportunity because this Chapter is uniquely positioned to mentor, coach, encourage, and train a younger workforce of contracts professionals that will be the Leaders of tomorrow from the Acquisition Centers in Government to the Corporate Board Rooms of Private Industry. Our training program should not only prepare them in the Contracting and Acquisition Management skills - but in the people skills of Leadership as well. If buying and selling, negotiating and accepting, guiding and influencing are all people skills - why would we leave out Leadership training?

Leadership is simply the art of getting people to perform certain tasks willingly in order to accomplish goals and objectives. Leadership is doing the right thing - even when no one is looking. Leadership takes personal courage, integrity, character, determination. Leadership is dealing and communicating with people. It takes persuasion, corroboration, direction, and delegation to lead. Leadership training has to start early in a career. Leadership principles have to be instilled early in a career and then honed in practice over the span of a career. Leadership skills are no different than those skills you would use during contract negotiations, a Program Review or daily interaction with your peers.

Education, Networking and Leadership - these three little words are the gateway to opportunity and this Chapter can help. As a premier NCMA Chapter and community partner, we must start the process now.

So this year - we will expand our training and education focus beyond the Contracting and Acquisition skills to encompass Leadership development as well. You will see this in our speakers, seminars and workshops.

Therefore, our Chapter Theme for the 2008-2009 year will be: Learn Today -- Lead Tomorrow! We can and will build on the connections established last year and forge ahead to prepare the next generation for the Leadership challenges of tomorrow. We have to start - the time is now.

Respectfully

Joe

Joseph A. Hidalgo, Jr. CPCM
President (2008-2009)
NCMA Huntsville Chapter

Hello Everyone:

As President of the Huntsville Chapter for 2008-2009, I note that we reach the end of a very successful year. On the successful conclusion of the first ever North Alabama Contracting Congress – this Chapter has a lot to be proud of in its accomplishments. As a member of this Chapter -- you've been a part of it and you've gained benefit -- be it Networking, Education, or Opportunity. Collectively -- Huntsville has done very well.

But if you want to contribute in a personal way -- if you want to influence the business community in a positive way -- if you want to access opportunities that have been beyond your grasp -- THEN, JOIN US! Be part of the volunteer Team of professionals that set up, direct, coordinate and execute these events in our Chapter.

What are the benefits? Many -- but for one -- Leadership. This is an opportunity to practice the art of Leadership where a mistake is not going to cost you -- your job. In this environment -- you get to hone your Leadership skills real time ultimately making you a more marketable and competitive professional.

And now -- I ask you for your help next term so that we can continue that positive progress in one of the most exciting and dynamic communities of our time! Huntsville, Alabama is where it’s happening and this Chapter – this Board -- is a very active part of that!

So, for Term 2008-2009 -- I’ve attached the Committee positions that need the leadership and energy that I know you can bring. Put your name in and send to me. I’ve ALREADY put in some of the names of folks that have directly expressed their wishes to me or to Doyle McBride. If you see your name and change your mind about the committee you wish to serve – let me know. I am thankful for your being a member of this organization and humbly appreciate your decision to serve – if you desire to do so.


Respectfully

Joe

Joseph A. Hidalgo, Jr. CPCM
President (2008-2009)
NCMA Huntsville Chapter