Operationalizing Contingency Contracting: Considerations for Effective and Efficient Management of Contingency Contractors During Deployments
Abstract
Contingency contractors are now a third component of the Army alongside the Reserve Component and the Active Force. The Department of Defense and the Army have seen a substantial increase in the use of contractors deployed with the force. The use of contractors for operational support is an acceptable risk for the combatant commander as the contractors are generally achieving their mission. Current force structure requires the use of contractors for contingency operations and there are many considerations to ensure the combatant commander is properly supported. From a contracting officer's perspective the operational Army and the Acquisition Corps must undergo a culture change to improve the integration of contractors into the overall theater support plan to gain further effectiveness and efficiencies. The most pressing areas needing improvement are ensuring there is adequate planning for contractor use and their requirements for deployment and redeployment. Additionally the Army must help create and adhere to a combatant commander's theater management policies to make sure contractors deploying with the force are used both effectively and efficiently. New plans for better overall integration of Army Acquisition Corps Contingency Contracting Officers will greatly assist in meeting the needs of Combatant Commanders and their staffs to ensure the multitude of considerations are included in the planning process.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 18, 2005
- Accession Number
- ADA431861
Entities
People
- Carl Lipsit
Organizations
- United States Army War College