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Cosmic Dust by Gerald Sweet, 1974 (c)
Inner space, The mystic’s lair.
To the rational mind, An abstract snare.
Created thought, Put to the test.
The way today, The cosmic quest.
Beyond the dots, We’re running wild.
Stars and money, Control our style.
Infinite thought, In a finite mind.
The controller of the cosmos, Left behind.
Above the clouds, We fly so high.
Soaring egos, Metallic pride.
Burning hearts, Aimed toward the stars.
The cosmic light, We’ve gone too far.
Creation screams, We turn away.
Our thoughts perverted, Our minds decayed.
We love and hate, And beg and cuss.
But we must return, To the cosmic dust.
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Mr. Gerald Sweet is nominated for the Achievement Medal for Civilian Service for his exceptional performance and exemplary leadership throughout his distinguished career as a member of the acquisition community with the Army Contracting Command-Aberdeen Proving Ground (ACC-APG).
Mr. Sweet’s service was essential in maintaining continued support for Project Lead, Network Enablers (PL Net-E) Business Management Division, PEO C3T, and Product Lead Common Hardware Systems (PdL CHS), ensuring their mission was never interrupted. Mr. Sweet negotiated a multitude of commercial hardware that was awarded to the base contract and procured to support the Warfighter. Mr. Sweet meets customer requirements by engaging in continuous communication with contractors, requiring activities and other organizations that were involved with the contracting process. Communication combined with a can do attitude created a synergy that overcame contracting obstacles and ensured the Warfighter received the goods and services being procured. Mr. Sweet believes that completing the mission comes first. He maintained a fiduciary responsibility to the tax payer and maintained meticulous contract files that withstood audit scrutiny. While at APG, Mr. Sweet also supported the Business Technology Branch as a support analyst. In this role, Mr. Sweet supported two different roles. The first position was maintaining the database that allowed the PADDS, GFEBS and LMP systems to communicate thereby maintaining seamless flow of budgeted funding for obligation to contract. The second function was staffing the help desk for the PADDS team. In this position, Mr. Sweet worked with the ACC-APG contracting personnel and consistently applied himself to meet the expectations of the contracting floor and management chain demonstrating unwavering reliability.
From 2005 through 2009 Mr. Sweet worked as a Contracting Officer supporting base operations, specifically the Construction Branch, while located at Fort Monmouth. Mr. Sweet is responsible for leading the contracting field with soliciting, and awarding, two reverse auctions for construction projects to include a new recruiting center. Not only did Mr. Sweet support Fort Monmouth, he led a team that supported Fort Dix, Picatinny Arsenal, Letterkenny Army Depot, Carlisle Barracks, and McGuire Air Force Base as well.
In 2009 Mr. Sweet moved to APG from Fort Monmouth to support the Warfighter during the BRAC process. At APG Mr. Sweet worked as a Contract Specialist in the Research and Development (R&D) Division. During this assignment, Mr. Sweet was recognized by the PARC for awarding and administering three state of the art R&D high visibility contracts for fuel cell technology in the amount of $7 million dollars.
In 2014, Mr. Sweet left the Installation to Business Technology Division and was assigned to Division B, at APG. There, Mr. Sweet worked as a Senior Contract Specialist providing guidance to less experienced team members, communicating and coordinating with contractors, legal counsel, small business, DCMA, DCAA and with internal/external personnel.
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
Gerald Sweet
IS PRESENTED THE
Achievement Medal for Civilian Service
For superior service from August 2001 through June 2017, Mr. Sweet is recognized for his unwavering support to the Army in providing the contractual expertise for the procurement of hardware and services to the tactical Warfighters. His efforts to meet the tactical Warfighter’s needs through timely awards and the exhibition of leadership are indicative of his outstanding commitment to serve the Army’s mission. Mr. Sweet’s exemplary service culminates 16 years of distinguished Federal service and reflects great credit upon himself, the Army Contracting Command, and the Department of the Army.
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Secretary of the Army Award Nominations
Outstanding Contracting Officer Specialized Services and Construction:
Gerald Sweet
Justification:
· Mr. Gerald Sweet, a warranted contracting officer and a Lead Contract Specialist, YA-2, within the Base Operations Group of the Battlefield Electronics Communications Sector of the CECOM LCMC Acquisition Center, is responsible for planning, directing, and coordinating the activities and work of lesser graded specialists. Mr. Sweet is also responsible for encouraging competition, solicitation and contract formation, analyzing bids and proposals, performing cost/price negotiations, contract award, administration, and contract closeout.
· During the period of 1 January 2008 through 31 May 2008, Mr. Sweet provided exceptional value-added contracting support to the Directorate of Public Works (DPW), particularly regarding his guidance and expertise in the field of construction contracting. Through coordination with the Group Chief and Sector Chief, he successfully handled the increased volume of construction requirements with increased customer satisfaction with quality contracting instruments and shorter acquisition lead time. He has developed a cooperative and problem-solving relationship with DPW, which significantly reduced the need for higher level management involvement to ensure fairness and teamwork. His willingness to go the extra mile to meet customers’ expectations is evidenced by his attention and diligence to detail and his focus to obtain results.
· Mr. Sweet always displays refinement, character and objectivity. He ensures that all personnel comply with the requirements of the Procurement Integrity Act, which is evidenced by his daily performance and his loyalty to the organization and his interaction with employees and customers.
· Mr. Sweet is always alert to new opportunities, techniques and approaches. His innovative and creative approach to the daily work of the construction team resulted in the development of spreadsheets for tracking and reporting of the progress of Invitation For Bids (IFBs) from synopsis through post award and Purchase Requests (PRs) through the award process.
· Mr. Sweet’s efforts and technical expertise resulted in the resolution of engineering/contracting issues concerning the interpretation of specifications and drawings and the relationship to the Statement of Work (SOW). Mr. Sweet also provided diligence and assistance to contractors so that they might better comprehend the dynamics of the construction procurement process.
· Mr. Sweet strives to grow professionally as well as academically. In order to improve the effectiveness and the efficiency of the customers he serves, for the past two years, Mr. Sweet has been enrolled in the Master of Science in Contract Management (MSCM) Program at the Naval Postgraduate School.
· For his outstanding efforts in providing guidance and leadership and for his dedication to the improvement of the effectiveness and efficiency of the construction procurement process, Mr. Gerald Sweet is recognized as the Army’s Outstanding Officer Specialized Services and Construction. His dedication and selfless service reflect great credit upon himself, the U.S. Army CECOM Life Cycle Management Command and the Army.