There is a lot of juice in this report(s), and I recommend reading through it to get a feel for where things stand right now. The stuff that jumped out at me, is the increase in security contractors in both Iraq(23%) and Afghanistan(29%) from the last quarter census. You would think with all the negative press out there, that the US would be cutting down on the use of armed contractors. It looks to me like someone at least appreciates what we do, enough so to contract even more of us.
To me this is significant. With Iraq, troop withdrawals will be creating security vacuums in some areas, and security contractors will be filling those gaps. And with the RUF being that we are only limited to defensive operations, you will see us taking over many defensive operations in Iraq and more Coalition troops being freed up for offensive operations. The numbers don’t lie.
With Afghanistan, this makes sense as well. With an increase of troops, there will be an increase in support in the form of contractors. But someone has to protect those contractors while they build stuff, and those security contractors will be used to defend FOBs to free up the troops so they can go on the offense.
I highly recommend checking out the report, because it showed the graphs that went along with the report, as well as the break down in contractor types. It is broken down under US Citizens, Third Country Nationals, and Local Nationals. In Iraq, Third Country Nationals outnumbered everyone- lots of Ugandan security contractors is one example. In Afghanistan, it is the Local Nationals that outnumber everyone, and there is no surprise there.
The trend line is there and security contractors are stepping up to fill these defensive security needs in the war. My hope is that the reforms needed to manage and account for these contractors is able to catch up. And this report below showed some promising new developments in that area as well. It sounds like the SPOT database is starting to work it’s magic, and I am glad they were able to get a better handle on the accountability area. The decrease in overall contractor numbers from last quarter was somewhat contributed to this new database tracking system. There is a description of the SPOT in the link I provided below, and I recommend reading that report as well.
In other areas, we will see how the SOFA and UCMJ issues turn out, because that is an area that definitely needs leadership and enforcement. I still think that we need to be moving faster on the issue of contractor management and accountability, and for it to take this long to get just this far is disheartening. We have a war to fight and this is all stuff that should have been hashed out years ago. –Matt
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CONTRACTOR SUPPORT OF U.S. OPERATIONS
IN USCENTCOM AOR, IRAQ, AND AFGHANISTAN
BACKGROUND: This update reports DoD contractor personnel numbers in theater and outlines DoD efforts to improve management of contractors accompanying U.S. forces. It covers DoD contractor personnel deployed in Iraq, Afghanistan, and the U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) area of responsibility (AOR) as of March 31, 2009.
KEY POINTS:
Ending 2nd quarter FY 2009, USCENTCOM reported approximately 242,657 contractor personnel working for the DoD in the USCENTCOM AOR.
*These numbers reflect an 11% decrease (from 148K to 132.6K) in contractors in Iraq compared to the 1st quarter 2009 census due to ongoing efforts to reduce the contractor footprint in Iraq.
*There was a 5% decrease (from 71.7K to 68K) in contractor personnel in Afghanistan compared to the 1st quarter FY 2009 census due to revised reporting procedures. The data system previously used in census collection (Joint Contingency Contracting System -JCCS) was found to have been duplicating reported numbers on task order contracts
*There was an AOR-wide decrease of approximately 3% this quarter (from 259.4K to 243K) due to the revised reporting procedures and ongoing efforts to reduce the contractor footprint.
*Contractors accompanying the force provide a broad range of capabilities.
General Data on the Number of Private Security Contractor Personnel in Iraq and Afghanistan
*Private security contractors perform personal security, convoy security, and static security missions. Not all private security contractor personnel are armed.
*USCENTCOM reports, as of 10 May 2009 , the following distribution of private security contractors in Iraq and Afghanistan:
*There was a 23% increase (from 8,701 to 10,743) of armed DoD PSCs in Iraq compared to the 1st quarter FY 2009 census. This increase can be attributed to our improved ability to account for subcontractors who are providing security services.
*There was a 29% increase (from 3,184 to 4,111) of armed DoD PSCs in Afghanistan compared to the 1st quarter FY 2009 census. The increase correlates to the build up of forces in that AOR.
General Conditions Regarding Contracts and Contractor Personnel
*The Combatant Commander has provided specific guidance on arming contractor personnel and private security contractors in the USCENTCOM AOR through a series of Fragmentary Orders (FRAGOs) and other authoritative guidance, including the following:
+Private security contractor personnel are not authorized to participate in offensive operations and must comply with specific USCENTCOM Rules for the Use of Force (RUF). Under these RUF, private security contractor personnel are authorized to use deadly force only when necessary in: self-defense, defense of facilities / persons as specified in their contract; prevention of life-threatening acts directed against civilians; or defense of Coalition-approved property specified within their contract. The Multi-National Force – Iraq (MNF-I) issues to approved private security contractor personnel a weapons card authorizing them to carry a weapon. This weapons card also contains the guidance for the RUF and the contractor personnel’s signature acknowledging the difference between the RUF and the Rules of Engagement.
+Private security contractor personnel in Iraq must be properly licensed to carry arms in accordance with host nation law and must receive USCENTCOM / Coalition Forces’ approval of their operations. Coalition Provisional Authority Order 17 (CPA 17), Status of the Coalition, Foreign Liaison Missions, Their Personnel and Contractors (June 23, 2003), is still in effect. It addresses Private Security Contractors operating in Iraq and requires the contractor’s understanding of and compliance with all applicable:
*U.S., host nation, and third country national laws;
*Treaties and international agreements;
*U.S. regulations, directives, instructions, policies; and
*Orders, Standing Operating Procedures, and policies issued by the
Combatant and / or Operational Commanders.
*MNF-I forces are authorized to stop, search, seize weapons, and detain civilians armed under MNF –I Fragmentary Order, 07-428 (Armed Contractors / DoD Civilians and PSCs), if MNF-I forces observe a RUF violation, exhibitions of criminal behavior, or conduct that threatens security.
*DoD contractor personnel armed by DoD authority must report any use of force, including the firing of a weapon. This requirement and the required information to be submitted are identified within the terms of the contract and MNF–I FRAGO, 07-428. MNF-I forces must report any use of force by a civilian armed under the requirements of this FRAGO to their chain of command.
Improvements to Management and Oversight of DoD Contractors
*Joint Operational Contract Support Planners (JOCSP). Fourteen (14) JOCSPs are allocated among the COCOMs. Planners assist the CCDR in identifying gaps where contractor support capability may be required. They will then help to integrate required contractor support into plans and synchronize requirements with subordinate commands, the Military Departments, Defense Agencies, other U.S. Government (USG) Agencies, and coalition partners.
*Joint Contingency Acquisition Support Office. The ADUSD (Program Support) is institutionalizing the establishment of the current Joint Contracting Command structure for future contingencies. This organization, called the JCASO, will have the capability to perform program management and operational synchronization of all theater related contracting support efforts. ADUSD (Program Support) conducted a pilot implementation of the concept during EUCOM exercise Austere Challenge in April 2008 and exercised the concept again in EUCOM and PACOM exercises in 2009. On October 20, 2008, ADUSD (Program Support) fielded the provisional JCASO organization, thus meeting its end of FY 2008 target goal ahead of schedule. Full Operational Capability (FOC) is scheduled at the end of the 1st quarter FY 2010.
*Synchronized Predeployment and Operational Tracker (SPOT). We continue to transition from manual accounting of contractor personnel to a web-based, database tool, called SPOT, to track contractor personnel and contractor capability in theater. A SPOT-generated Letter of Authorization is now required for contractors receiving government furnished support in the CENTCOM AOR. This requirement has led to a substantial increase in registered contractors; there are now 159,786 active records of contractors in SPOT. Initial deployment of Joint Asset Management and Movement System (JAMMS) scanners to Kuwait, Iraq, and Afghanistan is complete. This scanning equipment captures movements of contractor personnel through key life support and movement nodes using their identification cards.
*Authority of the Joint Contracting Command for Iraq and Afghanistan (JCC-I/A) to pre-clear all contracts and task orders to be implemented in Iraq and Afghanistan. The USCENTCOM established a Joint Contracting Command, reporting to MNF-I to provide centralized management and responsive operational contracting support to ongoing operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. The JCC-I/A commander has the authority to approve statements of work and terms and conditions that relate to the delivery of supplies and services in or to Iraq or Afghanistan. This requirement will ensure contracts contain the appropriate terms and conditions for work to be accomplished in Iraq and Afghanistan and will ensure the planned work is in consonance with in-country commanders’ plans.
*Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the Department of Defense and the Department of State (DoS) on USG Private Security Contractors (PSCs). On December 5, 2007, the DoD and the DoS signed an MOA defining a framework for improving accountability and strengthening operations of USG PSCs in Iraq. This MOA covers a broad range of management policies and procedures to achieve more effective management coordination of PSC operations in Iraq. MNF-I FRAGO 07-428 was published on 15 December 2007 implementing the MOA.
*Increase in Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) staffing to strengthen pre- and post-award contract oversight. DCMA agreed to expand its presence in theater and take responsibility for the administration of the more complex contracts that require specialized and critical oversight functions.
*Implementation of Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) authority over DoD contractors. Secretary of Defense memorandum, “UCMJ Jurisdiction Over DoD Civilian Employees, DoD Contractor Personnel, and Other Persons Serving With or Accompanying the Armed Forces Overseas During Declared War and in Contingency Operations,” was signed March 10, 2008. This memo addresses concurrent authority and defines the authorities and policies for the implementation of UCMJ authority to DoD civilians and DoD contractor personnel.
*Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) and Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) changes. On March 31, 2008 DoD adopted an interim rule amending the DFARS to implement DoD policy regarding contractor personnel authorized to accompany U.S. Armed Forces deployed outside the United States. On February 28, 2008, changes to the FAR were finalized addressing the issues of contractor personnel that are providing support to the U.S. Government outside the United States but are not covered by the DFARS rule.
*Final 854 Report submitted. This report, required by section 854 of the FY 2007 NDAA, was submitted on April 17, 2008. The report outlined a strategic policy framework for program management of DoD contractors and contractor personnel and updated status on the initiatives related to contract management and oversight. A General Officer Steering Committee (GOSC) has been established to manage implementation.
*DoD documents being published, updated, and integrated.
*Rewrite of DoD Instruction (DoDI) 3020.41. A revised version of DoD 3020.41, “Integrating Operational Contract Support into Contingency Operations,” formerly entitled “Contractor Personnel Authorized to Accompany the U.S. Armed Forces,” is in final coordination. This version contains significant changes to the existing instruction including: (1) incorporation of lessons learned from current operations; (2) requirements for the development of contractor oversight plans; (3) requirements for adequate military personnel necessary to execute contract oversight; and, (4) standards of medical care for deployed contractors.
*Draft DoDI on U.S. Government Private Security Contractors Operating in a Designated Area of Combat Operations. This instruction can not be approved until an interim final rule is published in the Federal Register and its staffing is under the control of the Office of Management and Budget. This DoDI prescribes the selection, accountability, training, equipping, and conduct of personnel performing private security functions under a covered contract in a designated area of combat operations for both DoD and DoS PSCs. It also prescribes incident reporting, use of and accountability for equipment, rules for the use of force, and a process for the discipline or removal, as appropriate, of U.S. Government Private Security Contractor (USG PSC) personnel. The DoDI responds to requirements of section 862 of the FY 2008 NDAA.
*DoD Directive (DoDD 3020.49) on Orchestrating, Synchronizing, and Integrating Program Management of Contingency Acquisition Planning and its Operational Execution. This new Directive was signed on March 24, 2009. It establishes policy and assigns responsibilities for program management for the preparation and execution of acquisitions for contingency operations, and for the accountability, integration and management of all contractors supporting the DoD and all USG PSCs operating in an area of contingency operations.
*Memorandum of Understanding between DoS, DoD and USAID Relating to Contracting in Iraq and Afghanistan. Section 861 of the NDAA for FY 2008 requires the identification of common databases among the DoD, DoS, and USAID to serve as repositories of information on contracts and contractor personnel in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed on July 8, 2008. In it, the Agencies agreed that SPOT will serve as the interagency database for information on contractor personnel.
*Establishment of a “911” Response Capability. A DepSecDef memorandum providing guidance on the responsibility to respond to reports that these contractor and civilian employees have allegedly committed crimes or who are reported to be the victims of crimes was issued September 10, 2008.
*Continued development of an Operational Contract Support Concept of Operations (CONOPS). The CONOPs, currently out for comment, outlines how the operational and acquisition communities plan and execute OCS during complex operations involving support, not just to the joint force, but to our multinational, other government agency and interagency partners as well.
*Programs of Instruction for the non-acquisition workforce. Contingency Contracting is taught by the Defense Acquisition University (DAU) as a special subject for key acquisition personnel. We are developing Programs of Instruction (POI) on contingency acquisition for our non acquisition workforce to be taught at military staff and senior staff colleges. This training will focus all leaders on determining requirements, translating those requirements into SOWs, and then overseeing work.
Link to Reports Here. (these have graphics on them, not posted on FJ)