Defense Logistics Agency - Experts & Thought Leaders

Avon Protection (Avon Protection Systems) is pleased to announce the award of a contract to supply the U.S. Defense Logistics Agency with the second-generation Advanced Combat Helmet (ACH). The Advanced Combat Helmet complements Avon Protection’s market renowned ballistic helmet product portfolio, with a polyethylene solution that is comfortable and lightweight, while still providing exceptional performance. Advanced Combat Helmet (ACH) ACH and its commercial derivatives leverage Avon Protection’s helmet shell molding capabilities The Advanced Combat Helmet (ACH) and its commercial derivatives, including the F90 helmet, leverage Avon Protection’s helmet shell molding capabilities and retention system, with Team Wendy’s helmet liner system technologies, in order to deliver world class protection-to-weight ballistic helmets to the modern warfighter. The contract has a maximum value of US$ 204 million, over a duration of five years, which includes a one-year base period with a maximum value of US$ 46 million, plus four further one-year extension options. The base year has a minimum value of US$ 7 million. Multi-year helmet contract for Avon Protection Commenting on the contract award, Steve Elwell, the President - EMEA & AP regions, at Avon Protection Systems, said “This is another significant, multi-year helmet contract for Avon Protection and builds on our long-standing history as the incumbent provider of ballistic helmet technology to the U.S. Armed Forces.” He adds, “This contract reflects the continued confidence and reliance on Avon Protection to supply products of the highest quality and performance, to protect armed forces around the world.”

Defense Logistics Agency’s (DLA) Distribution Susquehanna, Pennsylvania, Special Commodities Branch has won the DLA’s Team Performance of the Year Award, in the medium team category. Within this dedicated group of 42 employees, over 530 years of practical floor experience and high levels of technical expertise combine to drive and shape the day-to-day operation of cold chain management for DDSP.  The Special Commodities Branch The Special Commodities Branch is responsible for the process of preparing temperature-sensitive medical products for shipment, utilizing standardized systems and procedures, ensuring that required temperatures are maintained throughout the supply chain, and validating that those conditions are met, during all phases of distribution until delivery. Their efforts ensured all cold chain-related, material-requiring freezing was chilled at proper temperature, in order to prevent freezing and other items are stored properly, and made readily available for shipment.  Data and product reports provided The team worked to ensure the rapid movement of material requisition orders for cold chain management products The team worked to ensure the rapid movement of material requisition orders for cold chain management products, from receipt through to shipment. In addition, the team provided data and production reports, which are critical for identifying gaps in production and/or processes, allowing leadership of all echelons within and across organizational boundaries, to take prudent measures in mitigating operational risk and meeting performance expectations of customers. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, this team played a pivotal role in the agencies’ support of humanitarian efforts for COVID-19. They distinguished themselves displaying the highest standards of excellence in their duties throughout the pandemic, exhibiting traits desired in all federal employees, a selfless devotion to the mission, warfighter and American citizens, ability to set priorities and establish and/or achieve objectives and remain resourceful. The ability to process the various types of medical material requires tremendous knowledge and an incredible skillset. Met mission critical goals and provided lifesaving supplies The team met mission critical goals and provided lifesaving supplies with an unsurpassed level of accuracy. In addition to processing flu vaccine, the organization was called upon to support COVID-19 relief efforts. Their efforts ensured all COVID-19 cold chain items e.g., masks, gloves, gowns, face shields and other personnel protective equipment (PPE) were shipped to hospitals, health centers, clinics and other organizations, which are working to fight and treat COVID-19 infection, in a timely manner. Processing National Stock Numbers (NSNs) Their efforts are directly responsible for the processing of approximately 91 National Stock Numbers (NSNs) for COVID-19 items and one vaccine. What started off with several different medical items turned into 117 different NSNs. It has taken everyone and their willingness to make sure every piece of material coming through for cold chain, to include COVID-19 material, is accurate and serviceable before receipt, packaging and outbound shipment. Support for DLA’s mission to supply critical medical equipment In conjunction to supporting COVID-19 relief, the team continued to provide superb service to customers The team’s ability to manage multiple challenging tasks, supported DLA’s mission to ensure critical medical supplies and equipment reached front-line health care workers and areas with limited supplies, where resources were urgently needed, in support of Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ COVID-19 support. In conjunction to supporting COVID-19 relief, the team continued to provide superb service to customers processing 2,473 shipments, equating to 4,202 separate shipping containers consisting of 3,225,890 doses of flu vaccine. Complete shipments in a timely manner In addition, the team managed the use of 26 RKN’s (temperature-controlled shipping units) and 36 refrigerated trucks, in order to complete shipments in a timely and cost-efficient manner. The team processed receipts and issues of life saving medical supplies shipped around the world. The team collectively receipted various types of hand sanitizers, thermometers, COVID test kits, gloves, face shields, N-95 masks, surgical masks, cotton masks, swabs and many other lifesaving medical items used for COVID-19 testing and care. The orders contain a combination of hazardous material, refrigerated material and general cargo. A sum of 2,261,070-line items received, and 876,233 -line items packaged and shipped. Tactical and technically proficient COVID-19 support team Overall, the members that comprise DDSP’s COVID-19 support team are as tactically and technically proficient as they come. Their floor experience, coupled with their technical expertise, has created a work group that is flexible and easily adaptable, to support any issue or project occurring in the mission direct areas. As a result of their efforts, their partners continue to request support for new missions/projects, providing an opportunity to build a stronger organization, better prepared and more resilient in COVID-19 relief efforts and customer support.

The Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support celebrated the retirement of three civilian employees, during a ceremony held on Jan. 26, 2022, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. Lauren Marie Lohr of the Medical supply chain, retired after 41 years of service, Robert DiPentima of the Clothing and Textiles supply chain, retired after 40 years of service and Linda Farrell, also from the Clothing and Textiles supply chain, retired after eight years of service. DLA Troop Support retirees honored Their efforts have been critical to supporting service members, around the world and supporting our American citizens" DLA Troop Support Commander Brig. Gen. Eric Shirley presided over the ceremony and congratulated the retirees, on their combined 89 years of federal service. He also thanked their families for the support they offered throughout the years. Brig. Gen. Eric Shirley said, “Their efforts have been critical to supporting service members, around the world and supporting our American citizens.” Medical supply chain appreciated for COVID-19 Work Shirley noted the work of the retirees and their respective supply chains. He praised the Medical supply chain for its work during the COVID-19 pandemic and lauded C&T’s efforts for providing the clothes for the uniforms of the nation’s service members. He adds, “The uniform I’m wearing today, in some form or fashion, you and your teammates had a role in ensuring that it was available. You really can’t put a price tag on that.” He singled out Linda Farrell’s role as the supervisor of the Flag Room, where her achievements include creating the first Space Force flag. Eric Shirley said, “The quality of the work that she does stuns people when they come to visit. It’s been a tremendous privilege for me to be a part of a couple of those trips. I walk away with senior leaders and they always, without exception, talk about how they didn’t know the quality of the work, and your personal leadership and supervising that team. They always walk away very impressed.” Retirees received DLA Troop Support mementos Each retiree received a certificate of retirement, DLA Troop Support mementos and a commander’s coin. In addition, their spouses received a certificate of appreciation. Lohr began her federal career in 1980, as a clerk in the finance office, at the Defense Personnel Support Center. When her job role moved to Columbus, Ohio, in 1992, Lohr started working in Medical’s Emergency Supply Operations Center. While working in the ESOC, she was responsible for supplying lifesaving medical supplies to warfighters. She is retiring as a tailor vendor logistics specialist in the Medical Surgical division. Lauren Marie Lohr said, “My career was the best anybody could ask for. I think I’m the luckiest person ever. When you enjoy what you’re doing, it’s so easy to keep going.” Vast federal service experience I had a great government career. I worked with the greatest people in all the areas that I worked" Robert DiPentima started his federal service in 1981. He held several positions, including file clerk, buyer and contracting officer. He is retiring as a contract specialist in the Clothing and Textiles supply chain. Robert DiPentima said, “I had a great government career. I enjoyed it immensely. I worked with the greatest people in all the areas that I worked. I just want to say thank you to everyone.” DLA Troop Support ex-staff felicitated Linda Farrell started her federal career in 2013, as a hand embroider in the Flag Room and eventually became an embroidery digitizer/designer/machine embroiderer. A seamstress and designer for more than 61 years, she has made clothing, costumes, uniforms, banners, flags, toys, art quilts and home decorative items for a variety of clients. Linda Farrel said, “This has been my dream job. This has been the highlight of my sewing career. DLA has been a great place to work.” She thanked her colleagues in the Flag Room who were watching the ceremony online. She concludes, “You are strong, you are invincible and you are the Flag Room for many years to come.”