Contracting officer saves $161,000 on ultrasound systems

Photo By Strategic Communications DLA | U.S. Navy Cmdr. Cheuk Hong uses a portable ultrasound device to look for internal injuries in a patient at Forward Operating Base Lagman, Afghanistan, April 12, 2010. The patient was wounded by an improved explosive device and did not survive. Hong, a trauma surgeon, is assigned to Forward Surgical Team 4509. The 20-person team is made up of medics and doctors from 12 different commands. The patient does not survive. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Petty Officer Jeremy L. Wood)  

FORT BELVOIR, VA, UNITED STATES

02.28.2011

Story by Strategic Communications DLA 

Defense Logistics Agency   

FORT BELVOIR, Va. -- An alert Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support contracting officer saved the government $161,000 by negotiating a better price on 24 portable ultrasound systems used in military hospitals and clinics.

DLA Troop Support awarded the contract for the portable ultrasound equipment to SonoSite, Inc., for $1.3 million. Medical contracting officer Diemhong Walters, who works in the diagnostic x-ray area, was aware the company had recently received other orders from the government for the machines and negotiated a quantity discount.

“[She] took it upon herself to try to obtain better pricing for the government,” said David Johns, the integrated supply team chief in Medical Supplier Operations. “I believe this fits into Defense Logistics Agency Director [Navy Vice Admiral Alan] Thompson’s focus on stewardship as it’s an example of an employee making it her responsibility to get the best possible price to benefit both the warfighter and the taxpayer.”

Walters said she started negotiating with SonoSite for a better price as soon as she heard the order was on the way and made herself available throughout the contracting period to deal with any issues that might have arisen.

“When the official order request came in, I already had everything planned and my team was set and ready to go,” she said, adding: “I am grateful to be a part of DLA Troop Support, where I have a chance to support the warfighter, save money for the taxpayer, and contribute my professional work ethic as I care about my work and my customers as well as my colleagues.”

(Dena Selkow of DLA Troop Support contributed to this article.)

• Date Taken: 02.28.2011
• Date Posted: 03.15.2011 17:13
• Story ID: 67130
• Location: FORT BELVOIR, VA, US