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Rugby vs. RMC, noon, Saturday, at Anderson Rugby Complex. See page 14 ® VOL. 66, NO. 11 SERVING THE COMMUNITY OF THE U.S. MILITARY ACADEMY AT WEST POINT MARCH 26, 2009 Georgia’s Ginn Group chosen to supply public works operations and maintenance functions From staff reports federal policy for deciding whether to keep recurring, commercial-like activities within West Point leadership announced the government or contract them out to Wednesday that Mission & Installation a private source. The guidance tells how Contracting Command selected Ginn Group to compare performance and cost-related from Peachtree City, Ga., to provide public information to arrive at the best overall value works operations and maintenance functions for the taxpayer. to West Point. The announcement regarding A 20-day public review and appeal period the custodial services award was not available must now be completed. After this time, federal at press time. The tentative government employees and decision affects more than “I will work to ensure private competitors can 300 federal employees here. a smooth transition review documentation of the Garrison Commander Col. cost comparison. Daniel Bruno gave the news p e r i o d a n d a n “During this 20-day to DPW employees during environment in which review period, directly briefings at Eisenhower Hall. all displaced federal interested parties may contest He praised the study team for employees receive the the decision if they feel an West Point faculty are in the fight making a “tremendous effort” error was made,” David utmost support.” Lieutenant Col. Paul Kucik (class of 1991), Col. Michael Meese (class of in the competitive process. Bugger of the directorate of 1981), Gen. Raymond Odierno, Multi-National Force-Iraq Commander and “ A l t h o u g h t h e contracting said. “If a contest class of 1976, and Lt. Cols. Mark Gagnon (class of 1990) and Steve Oluic got organization proposed by Col. Dan Bruno is filed during this designated together March 13 in Al Faw Palace in Bagdhad for a Founders’ Day photo. U.S our government employees Garrison Commander timeframe, an administrative Military Academy faculty members Kucik, Gagnon and Oluic, from the Depts. was not selected, the most board will then review the of Systems Engineering, Foreign Languages and Geography and Environmental efficient organization team contest and render a decision Engineering, respectively, are serving yearlong deployments with MNF-I and put together an aggressive proposal, and I’d prior to the process moving forward.” Meese, Social Sciences department head, just returned from MNF-I where he like to commend them for their innovative West Point Civilian Personnel Advisory most recently served for three months on Gen. Odierno’s staff as the Chief of approach and critical look at streamlining Center officials said qualified employees have the Commander’s Initiative Group. SPC . KIMBERLY MILLETT /MNF-I PAO opportunities,” Bruno said. “I will work to the right of first refusal with the contractor and ensure a smooth transition period and an are entitled to register with the government’s environment in which all displaced federal Priority Placement Program. In the FAIR Act’s first year, federal agencies Checkpoints are to employees receive the utmost support. “CPAC personnel will work on placing identified roughly 850,000 commercial “The goal of competitive sourcing is to as many employees as possible into other positions. Private firms now perform many deter drunk driving ensure West Point’s public works operations positions,” Carol McQuinn, West Point’s former government jobs—from high tech to From staff reports and maintenance are provided in the most civilian personnel director, said. the routine—worldwide. efficient and effective manner possible,” he West Point initially conducted a Since implementation of the FAIR Act, continued. management study of DPW to decide the most West Point has announced 1,145 positions The Directorate of Emergency Services The commercial activity study of West cost-effective and efficient methods necessary for study, competing 614 positions in the will be conducting sobriety checkpoints Point’s Directorate of Public Works began in to meet mission needs. That work is described custodial, logistics and information technology Saturday at various locations on post. They September 2006. The competition establishes in the Performance Work Statement. Both the functions, all of which resulted with continued plan to do this monthly but will announce the government and the contractor developed in-house operation. date before setting up the checkpoints. their proposals based on the PWS. In September 2006, 531 positions were The purpose of the sobriety checkpoints The government has used private industry announced for study under the Directorate of is not to catch and punish drunk drivers but to deliver commercial services for more than Public Works, to include custodial services. to serve as a deterrent. Through a robust four decades. The Commercial Services Past studies, although resulting with an in-house information campaign (TV, newspaper, digital Management Program was bolstered in 1998 decision, required organization restructuring signs), the intent is to force drivers to plan by passing the Federal Activities Inventory to the Most Efficient Organizations. ahead for designated drivers or to drink in Reform Act. That act requires all agencies, There are about 725 contractors at West moderation and increasing their understanding including the Department of Defense, to Point performing services currently. Future that if they fail to do, so they run the risk of inventory commercial activities annually. study announcements are unknown. being checked upon entering the installation or while driving around the installation. Once a vehicle is stopped, the driver will Trying to figure out your money matters? be asked to show his/her driver’s license. If the driver shows signs of intoxication, a field sobriety test will be administered. If the driver fails, he/she will be taken to the COMING SOON Provost Marshal’s Office and verified on the intoxilyzer. According to statistics provided by the Dollar$ and $en$e PMO, one person is killed in an alcohol- related crash every 32 minutes, not quite A Reader’s Guide to the Economic Crisis a quarter of troops say they drink heavily, and alcohol abuse costs the Department of A multi-part series on the economic crisis and what it means Defense more than $600 million a year in to all of us including suggestions from some of the West Point medical care and lost time at work. community’s subject matter experts. For more information or questions, call Maj. Derrick Stanton, Deputy Provost See MAYS, page 12 Marshal, at 938-7544. 2 March 26, 2009 Guest column: A rebuttal to “A Few Pointers for New Spouses” By Sue Burbelo back. This post is like so few others with its hospital here on post at all. We did not have have to do it. Army spouse impeccable grounds, spectacular views and an American emergency room in Germany Of course the need for improvements will surrounding natural beauty. and I have lived at Fort Bragg and other large always be out there. But rarely is there ever a After reading the column written by Janine Agreed, Highland Falls is a small town. posts where you can sit on the phone up to 30 need for negative energy. I would personally Boldrin in the March 5 edition of the Pointer However, I can attest that after living in Europe minutes waiting for the “live” voice to come like to see more spouses providing positive View, I somehow felt strongly compelled to and owning a large truck, I can on. Keep in mind, we do infl uences to newer spouses. As an Army write this rebuttal. park my car downtown, drive “ We s t Po i n t i s a have an ER. If your child is spouse of 18 years, I can without hesitation While I respectfully understand Boldrin’s through town and all without beautiful post. It is full of ever that much in dire need say my best mentors were those who valued concerns and complaints, I must stop there a scratch. Fender benders character, great history, of same-day care, take him/ the Army for what it is––a great institution. and address what I believe to be not only an happen anywhere––just ask culture and outstanding her there. My life has been enriched in ways I could overexaggeration of what is “wrong” with life my husband––I have had the people. Also mentioned in the never have imagined. I have met and loved here at West Point but a counterproductive good fortune of wrecking my column was your concern people I would never have had the chance to collection of “pointers” for new spouses to van in my very own garage. “Let’s embrace our good regarding physicals for meet, seen countries and cities I never would this area. Highland Falls is a quiet fortune of having the children for Child, Youth have seen and watched my children grow Boldrin’s article can be broken down into Northeastern town, supported opportunity to live here and School Services classes. into outgoing, compassionate, fl exible people 10 complaints about West Point: by the residents of West Point at all, while continuing This is a DOD standard put because of it. 1. Highland Falls is too small. and its natives. Its quaintness to strive to make it the in place for all posts and not Those are messages I would like to spread 2. The shoppette is failing to provide all and quiet are perhaps what best place it can be.” meant to torture parents at to new spouses. Be proud of your Soldier, of West Point with every grocery item on a contribute to keeping West West Point.