Feb. 9, 2011
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Grapevine, Texas — ERDC Contracting Officer Brandy Ellison and Contract Specialist Chelsea Whitten earned commendations for their unique acquisition procedures at the FY10 USACE Excellence in Contracting Awards Program (ECAP), Dec. 8, in Grapevine, Texas. Among the ERDC Contracting Office's numerous nominees, they won in the category of Innovation in Contracting.
Most notably, Ellison and Whitten provided complex and time-sensitive counter Improvised Explosive Device (IED) capabilities which saved countless lives and reduced debilitating injuries to Civilians, local nationals, American and allied military forces.
They received exemplary innovation recognition as members of the Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization Team.
Ellison and Whitten quickly adapted to changing requirements in developing and executing their rapid acquisition procedures. Their innovations reduced lead times from months to weeks, even days in some cases, resulting in significant cost savings and providing one of the most reliable Warfighter support systems for IED detection, according to ERDC Contracting Chief Wendell N. Norman.
"I was very proud of the ERDC Contracting Office at the recent ECAP Awards!" Norman said. "We had people nominated in several categories. It is an honor to be nominated for an ECAP Award. We have some of the best specialists in USACE and the Army."
Whitten graduated from State University of New York's Empire State College with a bachelor's in business, management and economics in 2003, followed by a master's from Marylhurst University in 2008. She joined the ERDC Contracting Office in 2007 as a co-op student and currently serves as contract specialist intern.
Ellison earned a bachelor's in business administration in 2004 and a master's in 2006 from Mississippi College. She began her career in the ERDC Contracting Office as a co-op student in 2004 and currently serves as lead contract specialist/contracting officer for ERDC's Geotechnical and Structures Laboratory.