26 Aug STUDENT1 (Dave): So, what is the Joint Theater Support Contr

STUDENT1 (Dave): So, what is the Joint Theater Support Contracting Command? First, anyone who has been overseas, either as a contractor or as a member of the military or any other government agency, one thing is certain, there are a lot of contractors. Not only are there a ton of contractors, they all come from different companies, different organizations, they all have different roles, and they all answer to their own chain of command, so to speak. With all the different organizations participating in conflict and likely in a joint environment, it is important for a Joint Theater Support Contracting Command be established. The Joint Theater Support Contracting Command, is essentially, a headquarters and overarching command structure to assist in managing large and complicated joint operations. The purpose is to aide in organizing the contracting force in theater as well as improve the processes of synchronization of theater. One of the other goals of the JTSCC, is to optimize the entire contracting effort and to ensure that it conforms with the theater campaign plan and that it can be done as effectively as possible when it comes to costs. In order for a Joint Theater Support Contracting Command to be established, a joint manning document must be created. This document is used to help in sourcing the right personnel from the various Services and agencies to fill key joint billets and to do this rapidly. Having this organization in place will ensure more continuity across the entire contracting force and ensure mission success. Winnefield, J. (2013, October 07). Operational Contract Support: Joint Concept. Retrieved from https://www.jcs.mil/Portals/36/Documents/Doctrine/concepts/jic_opcontsupport.pdf?ver=2017-12-28-162004-040On this memorial day, I ask you all to remember those who gave their all! SSG Sean Flannery, KIA 22 Nov 2010, Afghanistan. A Co. 2-502d IN RGT, 101st Airborne Division (AASLT). Gone but never forgotten. See you soon brother. Strike Force!STUDENT 2 (William): The Joint Theater Support Contracting Command (JTSCC) may be appointed by the geographic combatant commander (GCC). The head of a contracting activity (HCA) will designate a senior contracting official (SCO) who is normally a commander of service in a joint environment or operation to be the senior staff officer of the JTSCC. The JTSCC has two main priorities while establishing itself in the joint operations area (JOA). The first and main priority is to provide command, control and synchronization of all contracting elements working in the JOA. This priority allows for contracting elements to provide reactive and dynamic support to joint force commands. The second priority is the ability to communicate and coordinate with other contracting entities to ensure joint contracting support board (JSCB) mechanisms are in place. JCSB allows for all contracts within the JOA to be shared to all for coordination of acquisition strategies to reduce competition between individual contracts. The JTSCC may assist with theater business clearances (TBC) if directed, to possibly expedite performance and delivery of contracts. TBC is extremely important as this allows the civilian populace access to joint theater installations. The JTSCC has a myriad of responsibilities but all are dependent on the mission support requirements of what is taking place within the JOA. JTSCC are rarely used for operations regarding only one service due the complexity of its establishment but a GCC may designate it as stated by the JP-410 (2019) to “ensure effective and efficient use of local commercial vendor base and to coordinate common contracting actions with designated contracting activities in support of the specific operation” (p.83). The advantages of establishing a JTSCC will include but are not limited to the decrease competition for local vendors, establish a baseline for standards for support, efficient use of limited contracting staff across the JOA and support the civil-military aspect of the OPLAN. The disadvantages is that the JTSCC has various complexities that require the establishment new organizations, increased lead time on requisition due to the requirement of the joint manning document (JMD) approval and fill and other authorities may be required to have control over all the contracting efforts within the JOA. The JTSCC once established can prove beneficial to the GCC and due to the requirements to sustain it is best used for joint theater operations that require long-term support.STUDENT 3 (Amy): The Joint Theater Support Contracting Command (JTSCC) performs as a contracting authority task force for their assigned joint operations areas (JOA). The JTSCC has contracting authority, control over contacted personnel, and tactical control in their JOA. The JTSCC oversight also includes any organizations assigned to the JOA. The JTSCC performs their contracting duties with support from the Joint Contracting Support Board (JCSB). The JTSCC is generally utilized for bigger projects that require more effort and attention to operate efficiently. When a mission cannot be fulfilled by a single branch or service of the military, joint theater support may be needed, which warrants the implementation of the JTSCC. Those larger and longer-term missions require an increased amount of coordination, control, and planning. JTSCC plays the role of the contracting authority in joint operations because the various joint forces/services need a unified point of contact and authority so that operations are managed effectively and efficiently as possible. The JTSCC steps in to smooth out the operation and provide the necessary contract authorities in the joint theater. A Geographic Combatant Commander (GCC) makes the call whether it is necessary to implement a JTSCC. Essentially, if a mission is deemed to be incapable of being managed by the individual and separate commands, the JTSCC will be formed to take over as a single contract command authority. JTSCCs are typically headed by a military General that has a substantial background in contracting. This JTSCC leader acts as the Head of Contracting Activity (HCA), which is a role we discussed in last week’s forum. As the HCA for their JOA, they can also provide authorities to Senior Contracting Officials (SCOs) and Contingency Contracting Officers (CCOs). References:Defense Procurement and Acquisition Policy. (2017). Defense Contingency Contracting Handbook. Washington, DC: Defense Procurement and Acquisition Policy. 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