Richard "Dick" Stokes program manager for DZSP 21 LLC said his organization would continue to do the work that is outlined in the Base Operating Support services contract.
Stokes’ time at DZSP 21 coincides with the announcement of the relocation of 8 000 Marines from Okinawa to Guam. He said DZSP 21 was not tasked with preparation for the relocation and increase of military personnel. "We’re here to support the U.S. Navy in their mission. If part of that mission is to keep the power distribution system running then that is part of our mission. That is what we get paid to do "" those things are in the contract. I need to be able to tell them the current status of water sewage transportation port operations and ammunitions. I need to be able to tell them everything that they should know about my responsibilities so they can take that knowledge and that status and make their plans for the Marines to come here."
"If and when those Marines come in here and we are given a task to perform for them we will have to take the same stance "" do it the best we can " he said.
The Base Operating Support services contract is a one-year base period cost-plus-award-fee contract with nine one-year award options. Tasks under the contract include the full range of facility operations including management and administration safety port operations ordnance storage and handling facility utilities (electrical water wastewater steam potable water) facility maintenance environmental services and support services to include transportation food services and public affairs.
Stokes brings with him more than 30 years of experience in logistics and support from his days in the Army and work as project manager for Fort McCord in Wisconsin the West Point Military Academy Stewart Army Sub-post and Day & Zimmerman. Most recently Stokes served as a consultant to the Department of Homeland Security at its domestic preparedness center in Alabama.
"I’ve got some 30 to 40 years of "supporting the sword" "" providing combat service support for the war fighters. I just naturally stayed in it. I got a lot of good training in the military and I’ve taken advantage of that training " Stokes said. He took over as project manager of DZSP 21 on Dec. 29.
Since Stokes has become DZSP’s program manager the percentage of work subcontracted has risen. "Subcontracting is an "A plus" for us. We exceeded our subcontracting goals "" enough that we’re proud to brag about them." He said about 30% of the BOS services were subcontracted out.
In an earlier interview (See BOS boss settles in at Big Navy; phase-in of new support services begins" in the Aug. 8 2005 edition of the Journal.) Stokes’ predecessor Daniel W. McDonald said DZSP had exceeded the requirement to subcontract 21% of the BOS contract dollar value. "So far we have subcontracted 23.5% to small and small disadvantaged businesses. We have subcontracted to every company that we have proposed in our proposal to the Navy."
Stokes said relationships with local companies and vendors were steady. "We always keep our eyes open for the opportunity to take advantage of subcontractors who possess a unique skill or specialty that we need on a temporary basis. We purchase the multitude of equipment here on-island. We buy through different vendors including NAPA Morrico and Triple J. We’re going to buy some more equipment some of which is pretty expensive. We will give the local vendors the opportunity to partake of it. We find that in the long run the local dealers are just as competitive as the people in the states. When you take everything into consideration it’s just as competitive to purchase it here."
"The government passes laws for the disadvantaged peoples and we try to be a good corporate citizen and make sure that we meet our goals " he said.
The local companies that DZSP 21 subcontracted services out to include SET Pacific electrical subcontractor; Advance Management Inc. maintenance subcontractor; NAPA (Bisnes Mami Inc.) transportation subcontractor; and PacSea (a division of PacAir) port operations subcontractor.
Local businesses interested in becoming a subcontractor can contact Walter "Wally" Toma procurement manager for DZSP 21.
Stokes declined to release the total value of services subcontracted out to local businesses.
His philosophy Stokes said was based on empowerment. "I really hope to see the day that our employees will come to work do their job go home and never have to ask a supervisor for guidance. I’d like to empower the employee to the extent that they control their own performance on the job "" like an independent operator "" but the job can be done and be done in the course and conditions of the contract and be a premier job. That’s the reward that I hold higher than anything else "" the reward of seeing an employee excel get recognition and have the ability to do what their job requires them to do without anybody in management having to check on them."
Stokes said "That’s what I’d like to see. I know I’ll never see it but I want to ease forward."
DZSP 21 began phase-in on the $34.1 million base-period contract June 2005 weeks before the official phase-in date of July 1 2005 and took over the contract on Oct. 1 2005. The contract had a value of about $423.45 million over the possible 10-year contract.
DS2 formerly Day & Zimmerman Services and Lockheed Martin are the majority shareholders and managing partners of DZSP 21; Parsons and [SKE Support Services Inc. renamed as] First Support Services (owned by First colony of Scotland) are minority shareholders.MBJ
