# DLA Distribution’s Muschara awarded Supervisory Acquisition Civilian of the Year

/ Published Sept. 14, 2020
NEW CUMBERLAND, Pa., 
For her outstanding performance and significant contributions that improved global distribution excellence, Lead Acquisition Project Officer Jama Muschara, Defense Logistics Agency Distribution Acquisition Operations, is awarded the DLA Distribution Supervisory Acquisition Civilian of the Year for 2019.

“Jama Muschara represents the excellence, spirit and professional dedication of the ideal leader and consummate team member,” stated her supervisor, Cullen Power, DLA Distribution Acquisition Assistance Team. “She consistently performed her duties in an outstanding manner and instrumentally contributes directly to the overall mission accomplishments of DLA Distribution Acquisition Operations. She truly deserves the distinction of receiving this prestigious award.”

As the team lead of Distribution Acquisition Planning and Assistance, Muschara provided precise and professional customer support through daily interaction to ensure mutual understanding of requirements, forecasts and lead-time expectations. Her expert knowledge as the Acquisition Project Officer, project manager and former 1102 contracting officer, enabled her to mentor and lead subordinate employees and contract specialists throughout the directorate. Muschara always has time for mentorship regardless of workload.

“Jama leveraged her dynamic energy and significant contracting experience and knowledge to best serve the DLA and Distribution Acquisition Operations. Her work ethic and high standards in providing leadership in acquisition assistance to customers, as well as her tireless devotion to support the warfighter, are well deserving of this honor and recognition,” stated Power.

Muschara served as lead APO for various types of acquisitions – exercising superior independent judgment in overseeing acquisitions, preliminary planning efforts, and progress of other project officers/project analysts working with cross-functional and multiorganizational subject matter experts. She rendered trusted advice and assistance concerning projects, objectives, problems and peer assistance. Her unselfish concern, involvement and consideration for other teammates contributed directly to the team’s sustained success and high morale.

As the lead APO charged with leadership and management of six acquisition project analysts, Muschara provided impeccable and precise acquisition support for hundreds of service and supply contracts, along with the daunting task of leading and mentoring subordinates in the process of leading acquisition planning teams for contract recompetes and new initiatives.

As a key member and leader of the Distribution Acquisition Planning and Assistance Team, Muschara contributed to the completion of 243 acquisition assistance projects with a combined estimated value of over $500 million, provided 37 technical evaluations and completed four distribution center contract recompetes and 168 requests for contract modifications. She has taken it upon herself to develop project management tools and processes that have streamlined and enabled her team to not only handle more volume of acquisition projects, but also improve the quality of package content and overall project communication with all stakeholders.

Muschara’s facilitation and leadership of high visibility acquisition projects – Enterprise Materiel Handling Equipment Maintenance; Distribution Operations; Unitized Group Ration Storage; Enterprise MHE Batteries; Enterprise Sign Language; and the Quality Oversight Software acquisition – were flawless. She either managed or facilitated the management of the entire process from requirements development to source selection, utilizing her professional acumen to ensure all deliverables were in accordance with the project management triple constraints and delivered accurately, precisely and on time.

Muschara demonstrated the ability to work outside the box and lead the development of requirements and processes entirely new to DLA Distribution. Her team exceeded a 10% goal set by the Director of Acquisition for institution of long-term contracts and consolidation of contracts and purchase vehicles to realize cost savings by way of price breaks and reducing contract administrative resources and actions necessary to support customer needs. 

In a continuous effort to improve herself for future global distribution opportunities and challenges, Muschara continues professional development through Defense Acquisition University and the Project Management Institute.