Report of the Defense Science Board Task Force on Contractor Logistics in Support of Contingency Operations

Download or read book Report of the Defense Science Board Task Force on Contractor Logistics in Support of Contingency Operations written by United States. Defense Science Board. Task Force on Contractor Logistics in Support of Contingency Operations and published by . This book was released on 2014 with total page 63 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "In March 2012, the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics directed the Defense Science Board to study contractor logistics in support of contingency operations. Early in its work, the task force found that contractor logistics support (CLS) is defined in current doctrine as support to contractor-provided weapons systems in deployed military operations, usually provided by the manufacturer of the system. This is contrasted with the broader operational contract support (OCS), defined as the ability to orchestrate and synchronize the provision of integrated contract support and management of contractor personnel providing support to the Joint Force within a designated operational area. Based on clarifying discussions with the Congressional staff requesting the study, the task force focused its study on this broader scope of OCS. This broader definition encompasses contracts executed and managed in theater, but may be written and awarded in theater or in the United States, and applies to personnel supporting these contracts who may be U.S. citizens, local nationals, or third country nationals. The task force's findings and recommendations are based on presentations by and discussions with senior military and civilian leadership across key organizations associated with operational contract support. These included Department of Defense representatives from the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Combatant Commands, and Defense agencies. Past and current large operational support contractors also provided inputs. The task force also heard from panels of experts with relevant experience in recent conflicts on the topics of operational command, contract management and contracting officers, training and education, and combating trafficking in persons. The intent of the task force was to set the stage for future use of contracted support in contingency operations rather than to 'fight the last war.' To do this, the task force analyzed data from several recent contingency operations, both military and humanitarian efforts, to illustrate and understand the role of contracted support of military operations. While the length and scope of recent actions in Iraq and Afghanistan may not be repeated, many valuable lessons can be learned from these experiences that might apply to future military conflicts and humanitarian efforts"--Page 1.