What is your biggest compliment or complaint about military contracting units or personnel?

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 19 Jan 2015 17:46:38 -0500

For those that have ever dealt with Contracting (as a customer, Contracting Officer's Representative, or Resource Advisor), what has been your biggest compliment or complaint

Response by TSgt Joshua Copeland made Jan 19 at 2015 5:57 PM

TSgt Joshua Copeland — Mon, 19 Jan 2015 17:57:31 -0500

Contracting awards contracts for technical systems without vetting requirements from the functional experts.

Response by MSgt Robert Pellam made Jan 19 at 2015 6:07 PM

MSgt Robert Pellam — Mon, 19 Jan 2015 18:07:07 -0500

As a COR, one of the largest complaint I had going through training is the enormous amount of legal babble that is included in each contract. Yes I understand the Military must protect itself legally and hold the party responsible for their actions. But wow... It shows that in today's world you can't just take someones word for doing a job, it has to be in triplicate and signed by the 4 witnesses, 3 lawyers, 2 parties, and a notary in a pear tree.

Nicest Compliment. Overseeing some contractors working on an air craft electronic modification. Had a call they were stuck at one of the support sections, so I jumped into our little 1/2 ton pick up and drove over there. Straightened out there problem with support, and gave them a ride back to the aircraft, as they had no vehicle. After I help carry the equipment on the aircraft the lead looks at me and says, "I can't thank you enough... Everyone usually just lets us figure it out. You have to be the nicest Quality Assurance person we've ever run into."

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 29 at 2015 1:14 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 29 Jul 2015 01:14:06 -0400

Telling someone that it can't be done rather than explain how to do what they want done legally and ethically.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Jul 29 at 2015 10:04 AM

CAPT Kevin B. — Wed, 29 Jul 2015 10:04:23 -0400

As a long term contracting officer and in other jobs, the receiver of contracted efforts, my best goes to the few contractors who went beyond to make the work turn out well and give our SMs the ability to do their job better. My gripe of over 30 years has been by far the growing culture of contracting officers who over time become narrow "if the contract doesn't say you can do it, you can't" types. That has prevented the cheaper, better, quicker, many times. Nothing like delivering a product late when it's no longer needed. Total waste of tax payer money and the administration resources that could have done something useful elsewhere.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 29 at 2015 1:20 PM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 29 Jul 2015 13:20:08 -0400

Compliment - Those who know the processes and assist when contracts are not going the right way
Complaint - Those who don't know the process or who are lazy and will not assist when contracts are not going the right way.

Example: Contractor overseas is generally an ass. He is supposed to provide IT support. What does he do? Surf internet all day. I ask for the contract and then put him to task doing the checks and daily duties he is supposed to do. He nods and then proceeds to be a dud. I called contracting and they called the contracting company and I had a new contractor three days later. This was good.

Another example: Same situation but a different contracting officer who was either really lazy, ignorant or in the wrong job. I had to tolerate having an empty seat because my boss had to kick out a disrespectful, resentful and useless contractor from the OPS center. This seat remained empty for months waiting for a replacement with the offender doing nothing in his CHU.