SEPT 2010
Galaxy News
NCMA Space City - Houston Chapter
Message from the President
Greetings from the 2010-2011 NCMA Space City
Houston Chapter Officers.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve as your President this year. I
IN THIS ISSUE am pleased to lead this experienced and talented board. The Board
for this year includes: Laura Pepper, VP/President Elect; Melisa
Reyna, VP/Programs, Penny Wilcoxson, VP/Membership; Jay
Message from the President
Parker, VP/Education; Luz Wood, Treasurer; and Jenny Arkinson,
Secretary.
Chapter Member Awards and
News
We are off to a running start with 5 of us attending the Leadership
Summit in Ft. Lauderdale in July as preparation for serving you this
Membership Benefits
year. Our goal is to provide maximum benefits to our members
through relevant programs of interest, continued educational
opportunities, and the enabling of open exchanges of ideas in a
New Members
neutral forum. We will do our best to support NCMA’s vision of
leading the presenting the contract management profession.
Membership Benefits!
NCMA’s vision is that enterprises will succeed through improved
buyer-seller relationships based on common values, practices, and
World Congress,
professional standards.
Ft. Lauderdale Florida
We hope to offer you many events in the forthcoming year to enable
Changes to CFCM & CCCM
the NCMA vision. Our first event was a “Meet the Board” event at
Certification Program
Sherlock’s in July. Although many were on vacation, we had a
really great turn-out. On August 19, we had a volunteer appreciation
NCMA Leader Summit
luncheon at Villa Capri where we recognized our Volunteers of the
Year, Jack Harrison and Miyoshi Thompson. Jack and Miyoshi
World Congress 2010
have provided unyielding support to the chapter on a number of
committees and “behind the scenes” activities which led to many
National Education Seminar
successful events. In addition, special volunteer recognition was
2010 – 7 Habits of a Highly
presented to Jay Parker, who offered many hours of his time as co-
Effective Manager
leader of the CPCM study group. Our program was a presentation
by the leadership of the Assistance League of the Bay Area. They
Upcoming Events
provided a summary of their activities, including their flagship
volunteer program Operation School Bell, which provides new
clothing, shoes, and toiletries to underprivileged students in four
school districts in the Bay Area.
Our September meeting will be at Bay Oaks Country Club on the
topic of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA)
procurements with Steve Elsner from JSC speaking. We will
NATIONAL CONTRACT MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION - SPACE CITY- HOUSTON CHAPTER
continue our traditional educational offerings this year with a Fall
Training Event in late October, Small Business Conference in the
SEPT 2010
Our September meeting will be at Bay Oaks Country Club on the
topic of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA)
procurements with Steve Elsner from JSC speaking. We will
continue our traditional educational offerings this year with a Fall
Training Event in late October, Small Business Conference in the
spring, and National Education Seminar in May of 2011.
The Board has voted to retain the monthly luncheon prices at $10 for
members and $15 for non-members and we will continue to hold
them at a variety of venues. Please provide us any feedback, as we
Congratulations to are here to serve you and want to maximize participation. We want
Penny White to provide you with interesting and educational events, and have
some fun along the way. We are fortunate to have such a large and
active chapter and we look forward to seeing you soon.
Regards,
Judy Love
Chapter Member Awards and News
Our Congratulations to our former chapter president Penny White for
being designated an NCMA Fellow by the NCMA Awards and
Honors Committee. This award is reserved for individuals who have
made significant contributions to the field of contracting and to the
NCMA. It is the third highest award given by the Association.
Penny was presented her Fellow plaque and new membership pin
with Fellow designation at the Council of Fellows meeting at World
Congress on July 18th in Fort Lauderdale by Neal Couture, NCMA
Executive Director and Karen Wilson, NCMA National President.
We are proud of you Penny and appreciate all of your contributions
to both our chapter and to the national organization.
SEPT 2010
Membership Benefit $50 Discount at University at
Houston!
UHCL has several seminars remaining for 2010 and coming up in
2011 which you may be interested in attending.
You can find a brochure for this program, which includes a detailed
course outline, on their website at www.uhcl.edu/camp - click on
“Event Schedule” at the left of the page and then scroll down to
Regulation Update
September for the brochure link. Courses coming up include:
Proposed Rules
September 2010‐Introduction to Government Contracting
For a list of FAR Cases,
please click link below
October 2010-Improving Negotiating Skills
http://www.acq.osd.mil/dpap/d
December 2010-Contract Writing: How to Lay the Foundation for
ars/opencases/farcasenum/far
Agreements That Work
.pdf
January 2011-Cost Price Analysis
April 2011‐Cost Estimating Systems with Truth‐In‐Negotiations
Requirements
September 2011‐Audits in Government Contracting
April 2012‐Equitable Price Adjustments and Claims
September 2012‐Application of Cost Accounting Standards
Requirements (CAS)
April 2013‐Understanding the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR)
September 2013‐Understanding the FAR Cost Principles
April 2014‐Introduction to Government Contracting
These courses are co‐sponsored by NCMA Space City/Houston
Chapter, so UHCL has agreed to offer a $50 discount off the
registration fee for NCMA members.
SEPT 2010
NEW MEMBERS
The Chapter continues to grow. Eleven new members joined us
since last reported in June. Welcome everyone and we look forward
to having you as well as serving you. If you have any membership
New Members and questions, please don’t hesitate to contact PennyWilcoxson at
281‐283-6180 or email at pwilcoxson@meitechinc.com
Membership Benefits
Last Name First Name Company
Alexander Nora Lee Dawn Alexander
Bui David
Harrison Anita Project Talent Acquisition
Group
Joseph Marlon
Minacapelli Denise BAE Systems, Inc.
Park Michelle Tetra Tech, Inc.
Purdy Leslie
Sanders P.J.
Surles Solomon Neighborhood Centers Inc.
Walker Dawn United Space Alliance
Webb John Kellogg Brown & Root
Services Inc.
Membership Benefits –
NCMA offers discounts to its member with the following businesses:
AFLAC, GEICO, BANK OF AMERICA
To learn more about these benefits, please click on
www.spacecity.org under Membership, click on Benefits
SEPT 2010
CFCM and CCCM
Coming Soon—Changes in CFCM and CCCM
Changes in CFCM and Certification Exams
CCCM Certification Exams Submitted by Jay Parker
Beginning with testing in January 2011, the Certified Federal
Contracts Manager (CFCM) and Certified Commercial Contracts
Manager (CCCM) exams will be expanded from the current 110-
question format to 150 questions. Candidates who currently have an
approved CFCM application on file and who want to take the 110-
question exam must do so no later than the month of December
2010. Beginning in January 2011, only the 150-question version will
be available.
Candidates who currently have an approved CCCM application on
file or who intend to apply for the CCCM are encouraged to
postpone testing until the new and improved exam is available in
January. CCCM candidates whose eligibility to test expires before
January may have their eligibility extended for up to six months at
no cost upon written request to certification@ncmahq.org. CCCM
candidates have the option of taking the 110-question exam through
December 2010; however, the NCMA Certification Department
advises that most candidates will benefit by taking the new exam
beginning in January. The new exam will be based on the material in
the current Commercial Knowledge Module Preparatory Study
Manual and will be supplemented by material in the Uniform
Commercial Code in a Nutshell, by Bradford Stone. There will also
be an all-new practice CCCM exam available by January 2011.
New! CPCM Study Guide Available
A brand-new comprehensive study guide for the Certified
Professional Contract Manager (CPCM) exam is now available! The
guide features valuable information concerning all five competency
areas covered on the CPCM exam, including contract principles,
acquisition planning/strategy, contract administration, specialized
knowledge, and general business. The guide includes sample test
questions, answers, and explanations for each competency area, as
well as recommended readings.
NATIONAL CONTRACT MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION - SPACE CITY- HOUSTON CHAPTER
SEPT 2010
This new tool is indispensable for CPCM candidates seeking to make
the best use of their time in preparing for the exam. The cost is only
$65 for NCMA members, $80 for nonmembers.
Click here to purchase your copy now!
Certification Study Group
We’re currently soliciting member interest in forming an examination
study group. If you have interest, please send an e-mail to Jay Parker
at parker.jay@att.net, noting your contact info and area of interest
(CFCM, CCCM or CPCM). Certain eligibility requirements apply.
For more info, please visit
http://www.ncmahq.org/GetCertified/?navItemNumber=6088.
________________________________________________________
NCMA Leadership Summit
Submitted by Laura Pepper
The NCMA Leadership Summit was held in Fort Lauderdale,
Florida, July 17, 2010. This leadership summit was led by Mary
Beth Lech, the national NCMA Chapter Relations Manager, and
attended by five of your chapter officers, Judy Love, Laura Pepper,
Luz Wood, Melisa Reyna, and Penny Wilcoxson, as well as
numerous other NCMA officers from across the country. Besides
Mary Beth, we also heard from Mr. Neal J. Couture, Executive
Director; Karen Wilson, National President; Charles D. Chadwick,
President-Elect; and Gary L. Poleskey, a Past National President.
This one day summit was an excellent one day tutorial to assist
chapter officers with the day-to-day management of a local NCMA
chapter. It included practical tips on where to find information,
who to contact with questions, what tools are available from the
national level, and when reports are due. Besides the informative
presentations by the speakers, we had several break-out sessions
where we were able to share information amongst the officers from
the many chapters in attendance. These discussions covered useful
topics such as how to conduct surveys of chapter members and how
to fill out the annual report. The attendees departed with many new
ideas to bring back to their chapter and a better understanding of what
it takes to run a local NCMA chapter.
SEPT 2010
World Congress 2010
CONTACT US Submitted by Luz Wood
The 2010 conference was held at the Greater Fort Lauderdale
http:/www.ncmaspacecity.org Broward County Convention Center; events commenced on Sunday,
July 18th and came to a successful close on Thursday, July 22nd.
Judy Love, President
Here’s what happened at World Congress 2010
Laura Pepper, VP/President Elect •More than 120 educational sessions;
•More than 80 exhibits;
Jenny Arkinson, Secretary •Networking & social events;
•A FREE Contract Management Career Fair;
Luz Wood, Treasurer •Onsite certification exams;
•Three NCMA post-conference seminars; and
Melisa Reyna, VP/Programs •Most importantly, the development of over 1,400 contracts
professionals!
Penny Wilcoxson,
VP/Membership A record number of job-seekers attended Sunday’s Contract
Management Career Fair, sponsored by
Jay Parker, VP Education ContractManagementJobs.com. Later attendees flooded the
Ballroom to hear the Honorable William S. Cohen, former Secretary
of Defense, Senator and Representative. Mr. Cohen spoke at length
about the current state of the U.S. economy acknowledging that it is
NCMA Space City Houston better than a year ago but still not good. He said that our country has
PO Box 58513 been on a path for too long that has allowed partisan agendas to result
Houston, TX 77258-8513 in a near-permanent stalemate.
Monday’s general session got off to a great start. Ron Insana, CNBC
Senior Analyst, offered clear unvarnished insights on the ever-
Galaxy Editor: changing status of the economy. Mr. Insana translated the market
Penny Wilcoxson signals and political maneuvers into information we all could
pwilcoxson@meitechinc.com understand. The General Session Panel consisted of Martin Regalia,
Chief Economist of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce; David Berteau,
Senior Adviser for the Center of Strategic and International Studies
and James McAleese, CEO of McAleese & Associates, gave
everyone a look into the future with probing analysis of the economic
outlook for 2010 and beyond. We heard that the highly publicized
financial reforms recently passed by Congress may actually have
little effect on the nation’s economy.
SEPT 2010
While the nation may be on the cusp of a sustainable recovery, the
CONTACT US effects of long-term deficits may threaten recovery, even to the point
of creating a “double dip” recession.
Tuesday’s keynote speaker was Walter Havenstein, CEO of Science
Applications International Corporation (SAIC), a position he has held
For Webinars: since the fall of 2009. A graduate of the Naval Academy and the
Mara Savely Naval Postgraduate School, he stated that he makes no apology for
mara.e.savely@usa-spaceops.com being an American. “We don’t always get it right, but it is not for
lack of trying.” Mr. Havenstein said that the focus needs to be on
skills on which all professionals need to concentrate. Focus on the
dos and not the don’ts; we need to understand behaviors, standards
For Luncheon Registration: and expectations. The General Session Panel consisted of David A.
Drabkin, Director, Acquisition Policy, Northrop Grumman
Contractors: Corporation, and Steven J. Kempf, Acting Commissioner, Federal
Lauren Lapeyrouse Acquisition Service, GSA. The topic was “Contractor and
lauren.l.lapeyrouse@boeing.com Government: Partners, Friends, or Foes?” After much discussion the
conclusion was that the relationship needs to be a partnership
working for the good of both parties.
NASA: Daniel Gordon, Administrator, OMB Office of Federal Procurement
Myoshi Thompson Policy, was the keynote speaker on Wednesday. He said that
myoshi.thompson-1@nasa.gov President Obama’s administration wants to pour resources into
rebuilding the acquisition workforce. The current administration has
proposed $133 million in fiscal 2011 to hire and train new federal
employees who then would join the ranks of the government’s
acquisition staffs. The closing General Session topic was “Who’s on
First: The Role of Contractors in Accomplishing the Work of the
Government.” Panel consisted of Steven L. Schooner, CPCM,
Fellow, Associate Professor of Law at George Washington
University Law School; Angela Drummond, Chief Executive Officer,
SiloSmashers; and Brigadier General Wendy M. Masiello, USAF,
Program Executive Officer for Combat and Mission Support, Office
of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition and Stan
Z. Soloway, President and CEO of the Professional Services Council
World Congress is about bringing together the greatest minds in both
the government and industry to provide advice, best practices, and
tools you can put to immediate use to help you and your organization
deal with the issues you confront every day.
SEPT 2010
National Educational Seminar 2010
7 Habits for Managers™
Submitted by Melisa Reyna
We hosted a National Educational Seminar on May 19, 2010, with
National Educational Seminar guest speaker, John W. Wilkinson, EdD, CPCM – President, tHInc,
2010, 7 Habits for Managers LLC. Approximately 80 professionals from NASA and Prime
Contractors attended the seminar which offered the attendees the
Upcoming Events opportunity to understand the 7 habits and how it will increase
personal effectiveness. The interactive seminar allowed members to
learn the 7 habits and provided materials and tools to enable the
audience to manage ourselves and be better leaders. The dynamic
speaker engaged the audience to set goals for implementation of the
practices and habits. Both the morning and afternoon sessions were
highly energetic and involved with thought provoking questions and
challenges to the audience based on the 7 habits.
________________________________________________________
Upcoming Events
September 16, 2010 – September Luncheon at Bay Oaks Country
Club. Benefits of The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to
NASA and JSC. Speaker: Stephen J. Elsner, Manager, JSC Recovery
Act Project
October 28, 2010 – NCMA Fall Conference Theme: “Maintaining
Excellence in Dynamic Times” at The Gilruth Center – Speakers to
be announced
November 18, 2010 – Career Planning Luncheon – Bay Oaks
Country Club – Speaker to be announced
December 2, 2010 – Holiday Social – Villa Capri