Contingency Contracting Operations: Past, Present, and Future

Abstract

Over the past ten years, the Department of Defense (DOD) has become increasingly reliant on contractors to perform a myriad of functions, including logistics support and force protection, in support of contingency operations. These contractors are necessary for many reasons, often compensating for a decrease in force size or a lack of capability within the DOD. Due to this increased reliance on contractors, the DOD has encountered numerous issues during contingency operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, including increased scrutiny on the overall costs of these contracts. While the DOD has acknowledged these issues and made improvements, there is still significant work to be done. This paper will address historical uses of contractors in support of contingency operations, the reasons for the increased reliance on contractors, and the issues encountered. It will examine the improvements across the DOD and the Army, as well as recommendations for future actions to improve contingency contracting. Ultimately, the DOD will continue to rely on contractors in future contingency operations. By continuing to improve contingency contracting operations, the DOD will be better postured for success in future missions

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 10, 2012
Accession Number
ADA561849

Entities

People

  • James A. Rupkalvis

Organizations

  • United States Army War College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • C4I
  • Human Systems
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Army Procurement
  • Business Administration
  • Civil War
  • Contracts
  • Employment
  • Governments
  • International Law
  • Logistics
  • Management Personnel
  • Military Acquisition
  • Military History
  • Military Science
  • National Security
  • Organizational Structure
  • Personnel Management
  • War Colleges
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Economics
  • Government Contracting/Procurement.
  • Military and Counterinsurgency Studies.