Army Contracting Command’s FY14 Major Accomplishments
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The Army Contracting Command achieved several major accomplishments in fiscal year 2014: 1) The Expeditionary Contracting Command completed 181 contracting missions in 52 countries supporting $1.4 billion in contracts, and the Mission and Installation Contracting Command improved contracting metrics and deployed its first homogeneous contingency contracting team. 2) Contracting centers supported various acquisition programs, including the Field Deployable Hydrolysis System to destroy chemical weapons in Syria, modernization of the M4 rifle, and production of AH-64E Apache and PAC-3 missiles. 3) Contracting teams also played a key role in the drawdown of forces in Afghanistan, reducing LOGCAP contractor personnel and equipment by over 65% ahead of
Army Contracting Command’s FY14 Major Accomplishments
- 1. Army Contracting Command’s Fiscal Year 2014 Major Accomplishments Army Contracting Command’s subordinate commands and major contracting centers do the heavy lifting for Army contracting. Whether it’s a contracting office supporting the daily operation of a garrison, our contracting centers supporting major Army acquisition programs or our contingency contracting teams deploying to directly support the warfighter, ACC Soldiers and civilians provide the supplies and services that keep our Army operating. Here’s a brief look at some of their accomplishments in fiscal year 2014. U.S. Army Expeditionary Contracting Command (ECC) ECC welcomed BG Michael Hoskin as its new commander in August. During the past year, ECC completed 181 contracting operational missions and exercises, supported by 308 contingency contracting officers who operated in 52 countries. Of note, the 414th Contracting Support Brigade successfully assumed the Contingency Contract Administration Services mission from the Defense Contract Management Agency for operations in Africa. ECC executed more than 25,000 contracting actions valued over $1.4 billion in support of Army garrisons overseas. Additionally, ECC headquarters received a low risk rating during its first-ever Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army-Procurement (DASA-P) Procurement Management Review in recognition for executing the oversight responsibility of ECC’s contracting support brigades. The ECC remains engaged, capable and committed to supporting the warfighter. U.S. Army Mission and Installation Contracting Command (MICC) The MICC experienced a cultural shift to quantitative contracting metrics, transparency and accountability under the new leadership of BG Jeff Gabbert, CSM Stephen Bowens and Mr. George Cabaniss. A series of metrics specifically targeting contracting operations now guides business discussions among MICC leaders. The command designed a contracting operations business metric program manager and champions who assist leaders in improving areas covered by metrics. The MICC can now measure how all 34 offices accomplish the mission. The development and fielding of the Contracting Tactical Operations Center (CTOC) application assists all levels of the MICC in mission accomplishment. CTOC provides online, real-time procurement data to better manage contracting operations. Visibility extends from the contract specialist to the commanding general. While improving contracting operations, the MICC also met its second mission requirement, preparing and deploying contingency contracting units. This year, the MICC deployed the 614th Contingency Contracting Team to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. This was the first deployment of a homogeneous CCT in support of combat operations. Simultaneously, the MICC and 418th Contracting Support Brigade prepared to assume Lead Service for Contracting responsibilities in Afghanistan. 1
- 2. Army Contracting Command’s Fiscal Year 2014 Major Accomplishments ACC-Aberdeen Proving Ground (ACC-APG) ACC-APG's Edgewood Division received customer recognition for its urgent support in the development of the Field Deployable Hydrolysis System used to destroy the chemical material stockpile in Syria. The FDHS, designed to convert chemical agents into compounds not usable as weapons, deployed on 2 a ship to the Mediterranean Sea in January. ACC-APG’s 926th CCBn, in conjunction with contingency contracting teams from other centers, will conduct a relief in place and transfer of authority with DCMA-Kuwait to assume contract administration for Rock Island awarded contracts in the U. S. Army Central area of responsibility. ACC-APG’s Training With Industry program was a true success. The four participants gained a greater appreciation and understanding of industry perspectives. They returned to share ideas and ways to improve communication and working relationships with industry in support of the customers and ultimately the Soldier in the field. ACC-New Jersey (ACC-NJ) In support of Program Executive Office (PEO) Ammunition, ACC-NJ awarded Carnegie Robotics, a small business, a $14.6 million cost plus incentive fee/fixed price plus incentive fee (FPIF) contract on the Autonomous Mine Detection System. The AMDS provides the warfighter the capability to detect, mark and neutralize explosive hazards in confined areas. Carnegie Robotics was a non-traditional small business that began under a Section 845 Prototype Other Transaction Agreement issued by ACC-NJ for research on hand-held sensors. That experience provided Carnegie Robotics with the ability to leverage the technology needed to win this competitive Federal Acquisition Regulation contract. In support of PEO Soldier, ACC-NJ issued three multiple award contracts for the M4 Product Improvement Program (PIP), with a combined ceiling of $77.9 million, on an expedited basis to meet required fielding schedules and with a 35-45 percent negotiated savings off independent government cost estimates. The PIP effort modernizes U.S. Army fleet of service rifles by converting and replacing regular M4s with the M4A1 version. This variant of the rifle is fully automatic and has a heavier barrel, provides ambidextrous fire controls and uses a new bolt carrier which will improve Soldier interface/ergonomics and increase lethality. ACC-Redstone Arsenal (ACC-RSA) The Apache Contract Directorate executed a $2.1 billion FPIF contract arrangement for AH-64E full-rate production, lots 3 and 4, resulting in a cost savings of $118 million. The team’s intensive analysis and awareness during negotiations resulted in a $9.6 million decrement to material alone. The ACC-RSA, AMRDEC (Aviation and Missile Research, Development and Engineering Center) Contracts Directorate successfully developed a cogent structure and contractual mechanism for a consortium of companies and universities to compete for a digital
- 3. Army Contracting Command’s Fiscal Year 2014 Major Accomplishments manufacturing institute that was executed in direct support of a president of the United States initiative. Originally known as the Digital Manufacturing and Design Institute, the AMRDEC Contracts Team led the highly visible process from the issuance of a broad agency announcement to the award of a quality cooperative agreement with UI Labs at $175 million with a cost share of $105 million for the nation’s first digital lab. The Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) Missile Team successfully converted the fiscal year 2013 production contract definitization from a firm fixed price contract-type to a fixed price incentive firm contract-type. Based on a review of historical cost incurred, the conversion could potentially save the U.S. government and foreign military sales partner $19.3 million. ACC-Rock Island (ACC-RI) One of ACC-RI’s focus areas was the drawdown in Afghanistan. The LOGCAP (Logistics Civil Augmentation Program) Contracting Division negotiated downward adjustments to the task order requirements to support Operation Drum Beat that called out a 30 percent reduction of contractor personnel and equipment in Phase I, which was achieved seven days ahead of schedule. Phase II outlined another 20 percent reduction, achieved a month ahead of schedule. Phase III required an additional 25 percent reduction, again achieved ahead of schedule. Overall, LOGCAP contractor personnel and materiel within Afghanistan were reduced by 68 percent and 72 percent, respectively. In recognition for excellent contract execution, customer support and workforce development, a number of ACC-RI employees were recognized with awards. Ms. Kristan Mendoza, Civilian Deputy to the Executive Director, was selected for the 2014 Distinguished Military Latina Style Meritorious Service Award for serving as a role model and supporting the Army core values. ACC-RI won four of the 12 categories of the 2014 Secretary of the Army Excellence in Contracting Awards: Ms. Joan Wysoske (AbilityOne); Mr. Stephen Dunbar (Outstanding Procuring Contracting Officer (PCO), Installation Level); Mr. Derek Schnorrenberg (Outstanding PCO, Services and Construction) and Global Reachback Contracting Division, Branch E, led by Amber Caulkins (Outstanding Unit/Team Award for Specialized Services and Construction). 3 ACC-Warren (ACC-WRN) ACC-WRN awarded a $688.2 million fixed price incentive firm target contract to BAE Systems for the Paladin Integrated Management (PIM) low rate initial production (LRIP) effort. The PIM program is the Army’s No. 1 artillery modernization program after the cancelation of the Non-Line of Sight-Cannon. The contract exemplifies the Better Buying Power 2.0 initiatives by incentivizing productivity and innovation in industry and government via the use of a FPIF contract mechanism in LRIP. The team’s efforts resulted in 81 percent of purchased parts procured via competition and approximately $3 million in cost savings directly attributable to subcontractor competition.
- 4. Army Contracting Command’s Fiscal Year 2014 Major Accomplishments Warren also awarded a $90.5 million FFP contract to AM General to recapitalize up to 760 Army National Guard Humvees (M1152A1B2 and M1165A1B3 variants). This acquisition leverages a Public-Private Partnership between AM General and Red River Army Depot to modernize the Army National Guard’s Humvees. 4