The National Aeronautics and
Space Administration is one of 17 industry partners to be honored Jan. 29 with
a Business Alliance Award presented by the Defense Logistics Agency in
Springfield, Va. The awards recognize those who have demonstrated outstanding
efforts to partner with DLA and improve the agency’s mission — providing
supplies and services to America’s war fighters.

DLA Director Navy Vice Admiral Keith W. Lippert will present the annual
awards during a luncheon at the Springfield Hilton Hotel.

The agency’s primary role is to provide supplies and services to America’s
military services worldwide and includes managing more than 4 million
consumable items, including rations, medical supplies and equipment, clothing
and textiles, and repair parts for land, sea and air weapons systems and
platforms.

NASA, through its Florida Space Port office, was nominated by Defense
Energy Support Center at Fort Belvoir as Customer of the Year in the non-
Department of Defense category: This is awarded to the customer organization
that exemplifies the highest degree of professionalism; meets or exceeds
criteria in one or more other categories and clearly stands above the rest in
its commitment to DLA.

The award citation states that NASA “has played a key role in Defense
Energy Support Center Missile Fuels Customer Support Programs for propellants
used by NASA, Department of Defense and commercial customers at Space Port,
Florida. With NASA’s assistance, a contract critical to national defense was
awarded in less than 60 days and at a considerable cost savings to the
government. In addition, NASA’s enthusiasm to help with the recovery of
inventory, market research and source selection helped secure immediate and
future National Space Program launch capabilities.”

Defense Logistics Agency provides supply support, and technical and
logistics services to the military services and to several civilian agencies.
Headquartered at Fort Belvoir, the agency is the one source for nearly every
consumable item, whether for combat readiness, emergency preparedness or day-
to-day operations.