Awards

Defense Pricing, Contracting, and Acquisition Policy develops contracting and pricing policy and strives to improve procurement business systems. In the field, the contracting workforce puts the policies and systems into action and enables the warfighter to achieve the mission. In order to recognize the excellence of those in the workforce, Defense Pricing, Contracting, and Acquisition Policy offers two annual awards which can be seen in detail below.

In addition, DPCAP partners with Human Capital Initiatives (HCI) on A&S workforce awards. More information on those awards is available at HCI here.

The Pricing and Contracting Legends Award

The Pricing and Contracting Legends Award recognizes leaders at all levels in the DoD acquisition/contracting community who inspire us to be our best every day, in every situation, by developing, motivating, and inspiring others through formal and informal initiatives.

The nomination period for FY 2023 is closed.

Background

The Pricing and Contracting Legends Award, formerly The Acquisition and Contracting Legends Award, recognizes leaders at all levels in the DoD acquisition/contracting community who inspire us to be our best every day, in every situation, by developing, motivating, and inspiring others through formal and informal initiatives. Nominated candidates undergo a rigorous analysis of contributions across six dimensions:

  • mentorship and dedication to helping others;
  • selfless service;
  • creative thinking,
  • collaboration,
  • contracting expertise, and
  • leadership qualities.

Pricing and Contracting Legends Award Recipients

Year Recipient Department / Agency Official Memo
2023 Ms. Keri Lindsco
Ms. Jennifer Kelley
Ms. Teresa Woody
Mr. James Berns
U.S. Transportation Command
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Missile Defense Agency
Defense Health Agency
Read
2022 Yvette Krasts
Milton K. Lewis
Army
DLA
Read
2021 Maj Gen Cameron Holt Air Force Read
2020 Mr. Douglas M. Cook USTRANSCOM Read
2019 Mr. Christopher J. Kirbabas Air Force Read
2018 Ms. Janice M. Muskopf Air Force Read
2018 Mr. Scott R. Ulrey DARPA Read
2017 Mr. Robert E. Boardman Navy Read
2016 Mr. Charles E. Bright USSOCOM Read
2015 Mr. Donald E. Peschka DLA Read
2014 Ms. Linda N. Allen WHS Read
2014 Ms. Tamara D. Thouvenot USTRANSCOM Read
2013 Mr. Elliot B. Branch Navy Read
2012 Ms. Michelle "Mickie" Cranford Air Force Read
2011 Mr. Carl Workman DCMA Read

The Pricing and Contracting Legends Gallery

The Pricing and Contracting Legends Gallery was created to posthumously recognize military members and government civilian employees whose past service and efforts have distinguished them as contracting legends. We honor them here, for their lasting contributions to the Defense Contracting Workforce.

Legends who were such an inspiration to us all, we all recognize and remember them.

Ms. Marguerite Antoine

A remarkable leader, mentor, and coach throughout her 15 years of Federal Service. She was courageous and inspired many to push to be the best acquisition professional possible. Operating in excellence was her motto.

Ms. Earnestine “Tina” R. Ballard

Tina was an inspirational leader and caring mentor throughout her 47-year Federal contracting career. Her ethos, “the people are the mission,” fueled her advocacy for veterans and her work in creating employment for individuals with disabilities. She was a passionate warrior in her profession, family, and faith.

Mr. Stephen J. Caracciolo

Throughout his 36-year career, Steve distinguished himself as a premier contracting professional whose passionate leadership impacted and inspired everyone he touched. He passionately cared about people and was an example to us all of how to do the hard stuff, the right way.

Ms. Noreen Cassaro

Noreen was a consummate leader throughout her 37-year career who viewed people as DCMA’s greatest asset. She dedicated herself to mentoring and led by helping others, particularly through her involvement with the DCMA Learning-Center.

Mr. Richard J. Cooney

Rich was an exceptional contracting leader and mentor throughout his 17-year Federal Government career. He was a true “trailblazer” in the DoD acquisition/contracting community and displayed unquestionable integrity and commitment to the mission.

Mr. Charles T. Darnell

“Chuck” was a caring leader throughout his 30-year Government career, distinguishing himself on two deployments to Iraq. As an ACO he ensured our nation’s warfighter had the very best equipment and aircraft.

Dr. Jacques “Jack” Gansler

Jack served as Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics; Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense; and Assistant Director of Defense Research and Engineering. Throughout his illustrious career, he fostered acquisition improvements, including his work on the Packard Commission and the Gansler Commission.

Ms. Barbara C. Heald

As reflected by Ms. Barbara C. Heald’s ultimate sacrifice in Iraq on her third tour, Barbara clearly demonstrated selfless service to our country, extraordinary and uncompromising professionalism in contracting, and true commitment to the personal and professional growth in others.

Ms. Susan M. Hildner

Sue was amongst the most highly regarded contracting leaders in the Federal government. Throughout her 34-year career, she drove significant policy reform to improve acquisition processes, championed numerous initiatives aimed at eliminating vulnerabilities, and provided career advice to many contracting professionals.

Mr. Barney Klehman

Barney was a passionate leader throughout his 41-year Government career, encouraging innovative thinking and commitment to mission success. A devoted mentor for many contracting professionals, Barney believed professional development was a life-long process.

Mr. Ryan O’Neal

Ryan spent his career intent on giving selflessly, helping others, training up the next generation, and using his contracting experience to fulfill the needs of the warfighter. His big personality uplifted everyone.

Ms. Sharon R. Parish

Sharon was an inspirational leader throughout her 40-year Government career. Sharon was a “servant leader” who believed in “Mission First, People Always” and a champion of personal interaction and mentoring.

Mr. Bryan R. Samson

Bryan was the Deputy to the Commanding General and the senior civilian leader of the Army Contracting Command (ACC). A retired Army Quartermaster and Acquisition Corps officer, Bryan dedicated his life to the advancement of Army contracting. His mentorship lives on through his thousands of mentees in the contracting workforce.

Dr. Charles Zuckerman

A revered leader who made significant and enduring Departmental and Federal policy contributions while serving as Deputy Director, Contract Policy; Acting Deputy Director for Defense Procurement Strategies; and Director for Foreign Contracting. His many contributions are still felt today.

The Ginman Contingency Contracting Officer Excellence Award

The Ginman Contingency Contracting Officer Excellence Award is named after Richard ‘Dick’ Ginman, a retired Navy Supply Corps Admiral and former Director of Defense Procurement and Acquisition Policy. This annual award honors those whose actions as a Contingency Contracting Officer are truly inspirational.

The nomination period for 2023 is closed.

Background

Contingency Contracting Officers (CCOs) are some of the first responders to emergency, humanitarian and disaster relief, or other emergency-type operation. They often deploy with little more than a laptop and an understanding of the mission, concept of the operation, and commander’s intent. Contingency operations require a tremendous amount of work, improvisation, and dedication from our CCOs. This annual award honors those whose actions as a Contingency Contracting Officer are truly inspirational.

The award is named after Richard “Dick” Ginman, a retired Navy Supply Corps Admiral and former Director of Defense Procurement and Acquisition Policy (now Defense Pricing, Contracting, and Acquisition Policy (DPC)). Mr. Ginman was one of the staunchest supporters of CCOs and the contingency contracting mission. The award honors Mr. Ginman for his superlative service to the nation, both in and out of uniform, and his unparalleled support of the Contingency Contracting Community. While the award acknowledges the contributions of all CCOs, only one CCO will be selected annually to receive this prestigious award.

The nominations are scored in three categories:

  • The contingency/operation/mission and the circumstances requiring a CCO.
  • The tasks the CCO completed and how the results supported overall operational mission objectives and achieved commander’s intent.
  • Hardships/obstacles endured and how the CCO innovatively overcame adversity to ensure the contract capabilities they provided were timely to warfighter needs, compliant with prescribed policies and regulations, and in the best interest of the U.S. Government and taxpayer.

Based on the consolidated scores for each category, the award recipient will be chosen by the Director, Defense Pricing, Contracting, and Acquisition Policy. For more information about this award, please email: osd.pentagon.ousd-a-s.mbx.dpc-cp@mail.mil.

Ginman Contingency Contracting Officer Excellence Award Recipients