Training for multi-functional missile defense assessments

Photo By Patrick Tremblay | Michael Shields, director of the DCMA Quality Assurance Directorate, thanks John Cardone, the Missile Defense Agency’s Technical Assessment program director, for his team’s participation in a three-day workshop on Fort Lee, Va.  

FORT LEE, VA, UNITED STATES

10.30.2014

Story by Patrick Tremblay 

Defense Contract Management Agency

FORT LEE, Va. - A joint, multi-functional team gathered here recently to hone the Defense Contract Management Agency’s supplier audit capabilities and add value to the Missile Defense Agency.

About 30 DCMA employees were joined by three from MDA for a three-day workshop near the DCMA headquarters.

“Our multi-functional DCMA team has partnered with MDA experts to perform joint contractor (quality management systems) audits,” said Michael Shields, director of the DCMA Quality Assurance Directorate. “This will allow us to improve efficiencies while also reducing costs.”

Brian Reilly, director of DCMA Operations’ Space and Missile Sector, facilitated the meeting.

“The workshop is increasing DCMA's understanding of an important acquisition partner — the Missile Defense Agency — and laying the ground work for collaborative supplier audits,” said Reilly. “This collaboration will bring DCMA's expertise in QA, engineering, software and contract safety together with MDA’s knowledge of the Ballistic Missile Defense System and their unique contract requirements. The collaboration will make both agencies stronger and more effective.”

At the end of the workshop, Shields thanked the participants and presented a coin to John Cardone, MDA’s Technical Assessment Program manager.

“I want to recognize John, Mike (Wadzinski, MDA Quality, Safety and Mission Assurance director) and the entire MDA team for helping us put this partnership together,” said Shields. “Multi-functional teams and partnerships like this help us find synergistic solutions that none of us could have achieved on our own."

• Date Taken: 10.30.2014
• Date Posted: 11.05.2014 15:45
• Story ID: 147079
• Location: FORT LEE, VA, US