#IAMIMSC: Master Sgt. Tim Thulin
Duty title and unit: Air Force Installation Contracting Center Policy and Acquisition Directorate NCOIC, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio
Primary duty responsibilities: I provide expert advice, acquisition support, policy guidance and training to the 3,000 members of the operational contracting community to better optimize decision-making and contracting innovation across the enterprise. Additionally, I serve as the Air Force’s only enlisted cost/price analyst, helping source selection teams secure enterprise-wide contracts leveraging better buying power.
What’s the best part of your job?
As a senior NCO in contracting, it has always been about the Airmen and the warfighter. As contracting professionals, our job is to be problem solvers and business leaders assisting our mission partners by turning requirements and perceived problems into actionable solutions for the warfighters assisting them in achieving mission success.
What’s a recent project that gave you a great sense of accomplishment?
In order to keep pace with the required speed of Air Force acquisitions, AFICC has refocused its mission with an emphasis on early collaboration with the operational contracting community using our subject matter experts to mentor, coach and assist through the entire acquisition timeline.
To support this new mission, my team recently completed the new Contract Functional Area Review process and guide. The CFAR process provides tools, training and coaching needed by individual contracting units to help them mitigate gaps, improve processes, foster innovation and push acquisition timelines to the speed of relevance. As a Change Agent, my goal is to support all Air Force contracting professionals to better execute their organization’s mission and vision.
Any claims to fame?
My only claim to fame is the success of the Airmen -- military and civilian -- I have trained and mentored over my career. Seeing others succeed and reach their potential is the best part of the job!