# AFFARS APPENDIX CCContingency Operational Contracting Support

- APPENDIX CC
  Contingency Operational Contracting Support

- PART CC-1 — GENERAL

- CC-101 Scope
- CC-102 Definitions
- CC-103 Responsibilities

- PART CC-2 — CONTRACTING AUTHORITY AND ORGANIZATION

- CC-201 Contracting Authority
- CC-202 Establishment of Need for Contingency Contracting Officers (CCOs)
- CC-203 Selection of Contingency Contracting Officers
- CC-204 Appointment of Contingency Contracting Officers
- CC-205 Contracting Organizational Relationships

- PART CC-3 — PLANNING FOR CONTINGENCY CONTRACTING SUPPORT

- CC-301 Planning Actions
- CC-302 Deployment/Mobility Kits

- PART CC-4 — TRAINING IN CONTINGENCY CONTRACTING

- CC-401 Air Force CCO Training Policy

- PART CC-5 — CONTRACTING SUPPORT FOR CONTINGENCY OPERATIONS

- CC-501 Expedited Contracting Procedures in Contingency Operations
- CC-502 Contracting Functions Under Deployed Conditions

APPENDIX CC
Contingency Operational Contracting Support

[Revised April 2, 2010]

PART CC-1 — GENERAL

CC-101 Scope

This appendix establishes policies, assigns responsibilities, and prescribes implementing procedures for the organizing, training, and equipping of Air Force contingency contracting forces. It also offers guidance on accomplishing tasks normally encountered by contingency contracting officers while supporting contingency operations. The intent of this appendix is to establish and maintain responsive contracting support for military contingencies and local incident response.

CC-102 Definitions

Advance Echelon (ADVON) means an initial deployment element of personnel and equipment within a specific unit type code (UTC). The ADVON portion of a UTC normally consists of the equipment and personnel required to establish an austere operational capability for a period of up to seven days.

Air Force Contract Augmentation Program (AFCAP) is a worldwide contingency contract tool available to support the Air Force and joint force along with any U.S. Government agency in need of urgent logistic assistance in support of contingency operations. AFCAP is designed to rapidly leverage private industry capabilities as a force multiplier in supplying highly responsive solutions to meet global mission objectives across the full range of military operations. Unlike the other Service CAPs, AFCAP can be utilized to procure and expeditiously ship just-in-time commodities. Depending on urgency, degree of requirements definition, or task stability, AFCAP can be tailored into firm-fixed price, cost-plus-fixed-fee, or cost-plus-award-fee task orders as necessary to best match the government’s needs. Air Force Civil Engineering Support Agency (AFCESA) provides PM functions, and Air Education and Training Command (AETC) provides contracting support for AFCAP requiring activities. HQ AFCESA is located at Tyndall AFB, FL, with PM deployed forward as required. The AFCAP PCO normally delegates all appropriate contract administration and audit services functions to the Defense Contract Management (DCMA) IAW the specific needs of that task order.

Air Expeditionary Forces (AEFs) are the pre-determined set of forces (aircraft, equipment, and personnel) from which tailored force packages will be deployed in support of theater commanders. Each AEF will operate a cross section of Air Force weapon systems (150 plus aircraft) and will include 10,000-15,000 personnel.

Area Of Responsibility (AOR) means a defined area of land and/or sea in which responsibility is specifically assigned to the commander of the area for the development and maintenance of installations, control of movement, and the conduct of tactical operations involving troops under the commander’s control along with parallel authority to exercise these functions.

Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (CEMP) 10-2 provides comprehensive guidance for emergency response to physical threats resulting from major accidents, natural disasters, conventional attacks, terrorist attack, and CBRN (chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear) attacks. (for more information see AFI 10-2501)

Concept of Operations (CONOPS) is a verbal or graphic statement, in broad outline, of a commander's assumptions or intent in regard to an operation or series of operations. The concept is designed to give an overall picture of the operation and provide clarity of purpose.

Contingency means an emergency, involving military forces, caused by natural disasters, terrorists, subversives, or required military operations. Due to the uncertainty of the situation, contingencies require plans, rapid response, and special procedures to ensure the safety and readiness of personnel, installations, and equipment.

Contingency Contracting Officer (CCO) is a person with delegated contracting authority to enter into, administer, and terminate contracts on behalf of the Government in support of a local contingency, steady-state deployments, or other contingency operations. The CCO also acts as the primary business advisor to the deployed/incident commander or the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) director.

DAS(C) means the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Contracting. The authority granted to DAS(C) may also be exercised by the Associate Deputy Assistant Secretary (Contracting).

Designed Operational Capability (DOC) Statement is a document prepared by the parent MAJCOM for each measured unit that outlines the DOC of the unit and contains unit identification, mission tasking narrative, mission specifics, and resources to be measured.

Joint Expeditionary Tasking (JET) is the Air Force’s overarching method that provides alternative force sourcing when the preferred force solution is not an option. Examples include using Air Force contracting forces when Army contracting forces are not available. For more information see AFI 10-401, paragraph 1.10.4.2.1.

Micro-purchase means an acquisition of supplies or services, the aggregate amount of which does not exceed the micro-purchase threshold.

Micro-purchase Threshold means $3,000, except it means—

(1) For acquisitions of construction subject to the Davis-Bacon Act, $2,000;

(2) For acquisitions of services subject to the Service Contract Act, $2,500; and

(3) For acquisitions of supplies or services that, as determined by the head of the agency, are to be used to support a contingency operation or to facilitate defense against or recovery from nuclear, biological, chemical or radiological attack as described in FAR 13.201(g)(1), except for construction subject to the Davis-Bacon Act (41 U.S.C. 428a) --

(i) $15,000 in the case of any contract to be awarded and performed, or purchase to be made, inside the United States; and

(ii) $25,000 in the case of any contract to be awarded and performed, or purchase to be made outside the United States.”

Operation Plan (OPLAN) means a plan for a single or series of connected operations to be carried out simultaneously or in succession. It is usually based upon stated assumptions and is the form of a directive employed by higher authority to permit subordinate commanders to prepare supporting plans and orders. The designation “plan” is usually used instead of “order” in preparing for operations well in advance. An operation plan may be put into effect at a prescribed time, or on signal, and then becomes the operation order.

Senior Contracting Official (SCO) means the MAJCOM/DRU or AFISRA headquarters staff official with overall functional responsibility for contracting. The deputy to an SCO may exercise any SCO authority unless specifically limited by the SCO. The SCO may include the A7K, MSK, or MAJCOM Chief/Director of Contracting.

Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) means authorized streamlined purchasing methods prescribed in FAR Part13 used to expedite purchasing support to the warfighter. SAPs are authorized for construction up to the SAT and commercial commodities and services up to $11 million (See FAR 13.500(a)).

Simplified Acquisition Threshold (SAT) means $100,000, except that for acquisitions of supplies or services that, as determined by the head of the agency, are to be used to support a contingency operation or to facilitate defense against or recovery from nuclear, biological, chemical, or radiological attack (Pub. L. 108-136, Title XIV, Sec 1443), the term means--

(1) $250,000 for any contract to be awarded and performed, or purchase to be made, inside the United States; and

(2) $1,000,000 for any contract to be awarded and performed, or purchase to be made, outside the United States.

Status of Resources and Training System (SORTS) is a Joint Chief of Staff (JCS) controlled automated data system primarily created to provide the National Command Authority and JCS with authoritative identification, location, and resource information. It is used throughout the chain of command to measure the daily resource status of operating forces.

“Time-Phased Force Deployment Database (TPFDD)” is a database that identifies types and/or actual units required supporting operational plans and indicating origin and ports of debarkation or ocean area.

“Unit Type Code (UTC)” means a five-character, alphanumeric code used in automated planning systems that uniquely identifies a specific unit capability. The UTC is linked with specific personnel and/or logistical detail for the purpose of deployment manning, transportation planning, personnel accounting, and replacement planning. The Mission Capability Statement (MISCAP) linked with each UTC specifies the capabilities the UTC represents, as well as the limitations of usage of the UTC.
CC-103 Responsibilities

Effectively supporting contingency operations requires thorough planning and support by organizations at all levels of authority. The following list delineates the key responsibilities and duties at each level to ensure well planned and executed contracting support. This list is not all-inclusive; each level is expected to identify and implement additional responsibilities as they are identified.

(a) SAF/AQC shall:

(1) Designate a Functional Area Manager (FAM) as the focal point to coordinate all contracting contingency planning and develop appropriate policy within the Air Force;

(2) Provide overall policy, procedures, and direction for developing and managing Air Force contingency contracting forces

(3) Coordinate on OPLANs originating at the Air Staff;

(4) Process deviations, waivers, and special authorizations requested in support of contingency operations and local incident responses;

(5) Ensure the focal point attends the Contingency Wartime Planning Course (CWPC) as soon as possible after assuming duties; and

(6) Develop and publish posturing guidance for Air Force contingency contracting forces in accordance with (IAW) AFI 10-401.

(b) Each MAJCOM SCO shall:

(1) Designate a command FAM as the SCO’s focal point to coordinate all contingency planning within the MAJCOM and to facilitate implementation of contracting support of exercises and contingency operations;

(2) Ensure the FAM attends the Contingency Wartime Planning Course (CWPC) as soon as possible after assuming duties;

(3) IAW MAJCOM guidance, develops, reviews, and manages the contracting portion of the MAJCOM’s Emergency Response plan(s);

(4) Implement posturing guidance provided by SAF/AQC;

(5) Develop contracting support elements and UTC packages to meet the requirements of current policy directives and implementation instructions, ensuring subordinate organizations meet force mobility requirements stated in Air Force 10- series directives and instructions;

(6) Be familiar with the following:

(i) Joint Publication 4-10, Operational Contract Support

(ii) DoDI 3020.41, Contractor Personnel Authorized to Accompany the U. S. Armed Forces.

(iii) DoDI 3020.37, Continuation of Essential DoD Contractor Services During Crises

(7) Establish, as required, agreements detailing contracting support relationships between MAJCOMs during contingency operations;

(8) Ensure all individuals assigned responsibilities as contingency contracting officers (CCOs) are properly trained IAW Appendix CC, Part CC-4, and other mandatory train requirements;

(9) Review all MAJCOM OPLANs using IGCC-301(b)(1).

(10) Establish management plans, policies, and procedures for Non-appropriated Fund (NAF) contracting support during contingencies, in coordination with the MAJCOM/A1;

(11) Ensure an adequate number of personnel are identified to augment the MAJCOM’s associated Air Force Component Commands’ deployed forward headquarters contracting function and assist in initial bed down of deployed units in accordance with War Mobilization Planning (WMP), Volume 1, Annex E;

(12) Establish Designated Operational Capability Statement and Status of Resources and Training procedures and policies for each unit tasked in support of an OPLAN IAW MAJCOM policy; and

(13) The following are SCO responsibilities normally accomplished by the contracting staffs within an associated Numbered Air Force (NAF) or Air Force Component Command:

(i) Establish contracting operations management plans, policies, and procedures for use during contingencies within respective areas of responsibility;

(ii) Ensure any additional manpower requirements to support contingency operations are identified. Notify SAF/AQCX and submit requests to supporting commands using the Global Force Management (GFM);

(iii) Develop and maintain current site surveys along with vendor/source and requirements data unique to the AOR;

(iv) Ensure supporting commands are provided any contracting unique information or materials distributed through unified command channels;

(v) Before coordinating on an inter-service support agreement involving contracting support to another service, DoD, or U.S. Government agency, MAJCOMS will notify SAF/AQCX using SAF AQCX Workflow (SAFAQCX.Workflow@pentagon.af.mil). The notification shall include, as a minimum:

A. Extent of support requested (e.g. All contracts for unit; GPC program management only; quality assurance representative training only; et al)

B. Estimated duration for support

C. Size of unit requesting support

D. Estimate of projected obligations for next three fiscal years

E. Number of anticipated acquisitions exceeding the SAT

F. Numbers and grades of additional Air Force contracting specialist required

(vi) Establish the manner in which contracts that exceed the simplified acquisition threshold are to be accomplished in support of a military contingency operation within the AOR. Those procedures shall be distributed to each supporting command contracting division;

(vii) Establish procedures, when necessary, for assigning and maintaining DOD Activity Address Codes (DODAACs) for deployed forces within the AOR;

(viii) When necessary, establish support agreements between MAJCOMs on use of contracting offices in the vicinity of the deployment, but outside the supported CINC’s AOR, and other agreements as necessary to support mission requirements

(ix) Ensure the individual serving as the focal point attends the Contingency Wartime Planning Course (CWPC) as soon as possible after assuming duties.

(c) The commander or chief of each operational contracting organization shall:

(1) Review all tasked OPLANs, using IGCC-301(b)(1), and relevant Host Tenant Support Agreements, Inter-Command Agreements, Joint Support Plans, and Host Nation Support Agreements to determine deployment support requirements;

(2) Be familiar with the following:

(i) Joint Publication 4-10, Operational Contract Support

(ii) DoDI 3020.41, Contractor Personnel Authorized to Accompany the U. S. Armed Forces.

(iii) DoDI 3020.37, Continuation of Essential DoD Contractor Services During Crises

(3) Develop and maintain local checklists and procedures to support the installation Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (CEMP) using MPCC-301(c) and AFI 10-2501, Air Force Emergency Management (EM) Program Planning and Operations;

(4) Accomplish and document CCO training as required by MPCC- 401(a)(i).

(5) Ensure equipment and materials required for support of assigned UTCs are purchased and maintained for immediate deployment.

PART CC-2 — CONTRACTING AUTHORITY AND ORGANIZATION

CC-201 Contracting Authority

DAS(C) is the Head of Contracting Activity (HCA) for Air Force component commands tasked to support a “supported commander” during JCS declared contingency operations or exercises in accordance with AFFARS 5301.601. See AFFARS 5301.601 for the specific delegations.

CC-202 Establishment of Need for Contingency Contracting Officers (CCOs)

The contingency contracting officer (CCO) is the key individual providing contracting support to contingency operations. Contracting activities shall review contingency taskings and designate a sufficient number of qualified individuals to perform those contingency contracting taskings. If the contracting office requires more manpower to support OPLANS than can be reasonably provided without degrading home station functions, then the chief of the contracting office shall notify the cognizant MAJCOM SCO of the shortfall.

CC-203 Selection of Contingency Contracting Officers

(a) Individuals appointed as contingency contracting officers become members of the Air Force’s Contingency Contracting Force, as defined in 10 U.S.C Section 1724 (f) and
(b) Contingency contracting officers (CCOs) shall be otherwise qualified for appointment as contracting officers, as described in FAR 1.603, as supplemented. At a minimum, warrants issued to CCOs will specify contracting authority up to the “simplified acquisition threshold” on their face.

(c) CCOs shall meet the following additional requirements:

(1) CCOs shall be military personnel, whenever possible. Deploy only military CCOs to support overseas contingency OPLANs and actual contingencies involving hostilities. (NOTE: If a civilian is designated as a CCO, comply with instructions in AFI 36-507, Mobilization of the Civilian Workforce, for emergency-essential civilian employees).

(2) The Air Force Specialty Code (AFSC) 64PX and 6C0X1 personnel (and 1102/5 personnel supporting local contingency and emergency support plans) shall be trained or experienced in operational contracting and contingency contracting procedures. The incumbents shall be trained in all aspects of contingency contracting as quickly as possible after assignment to the organization.

(3) All contingency-contracting personnel designated shall be certified at the appropriate level in the Acquisition Professional Development Program (APDP).

CC-204 Appointment of Contingency Contracting Officers

(a) Air Force issued contracting officer warrants will be honored by Air Force Expeditionary contracting units. If specific limitations on the warrant hinder the CCO’s ability to support contingency operations, warrants may be adjusted by the warrant’s signatory or another warrant may be issued by the gaining command.

Note: Home station warrants may not be accepted when deploying into a joint organization or a unit where the Air Force is not the lead service for contracting support. In these cases, make every effort to coordinate with gaining deployed unit to have warrant in-hand prior to departure from home station. This does not relieve the home station unit from the requirement at CC-204 (b) below.

(b) All contingency contracting officers will deploy with a warrant. Unless the deploying CCO has a valid warrant in hand from the gaining command, the CCO’s home station unit shall issue a warrant to an individual before deploying. Units can issue warrants for CCOs ahead of time if the CCO(s) are designated to support no-notice deployment(s) or incidents. Specific contracting authority on a contingency warrant should be limited to a level commensurate with the individual’s APDP-level certification, demonstrated business acumen, and experience (e.g. micro-purchase, simplified acquisition, unlimited or other designated dollar amount as appropriate).
CC-205 Contracting Organizational Relationships

(a) When deployed, CCOs may fall under one of three organizational structures as described in Joint Publication 4-10, Operational Contracting Support. CCOs should be familiar with each.

(1) Joint Theater Support Contracting Command – normally applicable for major, long-term, complex stability operations where the subordinate Joint Forces Commander (JFC) needs direct control over all aspects of theater support contracting. The Joint Contracting Command Iraq and Afghanistan (JCC I/A) is an example of a joint theater support contracting command.

(2) Lead Service Theater Contracting Organization – is derived from either an Air Force expeditionary contracting squadron or an Army Contracting Support Brigade. The lead service will mandate the structure. Members augmenting this organization will normally follow the lead service’s DFARS supplement when acquiring materiel and services for multiple services.

(3) Service Component Support to Own Forces – allows the service component commanders to retain control of their own theater support of contracting authority and organization. An example of this structure would be an Air Force Expeditionary Contracting Squadron reporting to an Air Force Expeditionary Mission Support Group and then to an Air Force Expeditionary Wing Commander.

(b) When CCOs deploy supporting contingency operations following the Service Component Support to Own Forces construct, CC-205 (a)(3), they are under the operational, administrative, and tactical control of the supported Air Force Component Commander. Oversight of contracting operations is normally accomplished by the Air Force Component Commander’s A7K staff and associated Air Force MAJCOM Senior Contracting Official (SCO).

PART CC-3 — PLANNING FOR CONTINGENCY CONTRACTING SUPPORT

CC-301 Planning Actions

(a) Each operational contracting office monitors current plans and coordinates on all plans tasking the contracting organization for support according to AFI 10-401, Air Force Operations Planning and Execution. All plans should address appropriate actions to be taken by each tasked functional unit to ensure continued performance of essential contractor services pursuant to DODI 3020.37, Continuation of Essential DOD Contractor Services During Crisis. In addition to DODI 3020.37, plans for military contingency operations should cover requirements found in DODI 3020.41, Contractor Personnel Authorized to Accompany the U. S. Armed Forces and Joint Publication 4-10, Operational Contract Support. Plans should also exploit the capabilities CCO’s can deliver as part of an advance echelon (ADVON) teams. ADVONs should be manned with an experienced CCO who can locate sources and become familiar with local conditions before arrival of the main body of forces. Plans should provide for adequate security arrangements and disbursing officer support during advanced deployments.

(b) Review of OPLANs. The contracting squadron commander or chief of the contracting office is responsible for reviewing all OPLANs tasking contracting support. When a MAJCOM SCO tasks a contracting office with specific deployment support responsibilities, the MAJCOM will ensure the office includes such tasking in its local plans.

(1) The contracting squadron commander or chief of the contracting office should consider the areas listed in IGCC-301(b)(1) when reviewing OPLANs.

(2) As part of planning, contracting units shall review site surveys of anticipated deployment locations. If a current site survey does not exist, contracting units shall inform their SCO staff. The tasked-unit’s SCO staff shall coordinate with the supported SCO staff associated with the geographical combatant command to acquire or recommend the initiation of a site survey.

A. MAJCOM SCOs, normally using the contracting staffs of associated NAFS or Air Force Component Command, are responsible for conducting and maintaining site surveys as resources allow. IGCC-301(b)(2)A, Contracting Site Surveys, provides teams with an outline of areas to cover during a survey.

(c) Review of the Installation Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (CEMP).
In accordance with AFI 10-2501, Air Force Emergency Management (EM) Program Planning and Operations, the CEMP provides comprehensive guidance for emergency response to physical threats resulting from major accidents, natural disasters, conventional attacks, terrorist attack, and CBRN (chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear) attacks. In developing and maintaining the contracting supplements, checklists, or portions of a CEMP, the chief of the contracting activity will ensure the areas listed in MPCC-301(c) are addressed.

(1) Contracting Incident Response Kits (CIRKs). To ensure contingency contracting support during execution of Local Incident Response Plans, each contracting squadron will maintain at least two CIRKs as described in MPCC-301(c)(1). Squadron Commanders/Chief of Contracting should consider positioning at least one of the CIRKs outside the squadron’s main facility or at an off-base site.

(d) Other Pre-Deployment Requirements for Contingency Contracting Officers

(1) Due to the unique nature of CCO duties, official passports are required for each CCO designated to support deployments requiring a passport for entry. Each unit shall determine if a CCO needs to obtain an official passport when initially designated as a CCO. If units have difficulty securing official passports, contact SAF/AQCX for assistance in validating mission and coordination with the Pentagon Passport Office. When CCOs are deployed they shall have their passports in their possession at all times unless directed otherwise for security reasons.

(2) The duty weapon for all CCOs, regardless of rank, is the M-9 pistol.

CC-302 Deployment/Mobility Kits

As tasked within their Designated Operational Capability (DOC) Statements, contracting activities will develop local support plans and kits with contracting supplies, forms, instructions, and office equipment to respond to contingency situations. Refer to MPCC-302(a) for specific contents for contingency contracting kits.

(a) Each contracting activity shall develop and maintain deployment kits for use during contingencies. Unit kits will be pre-assembled and positioned for rapid retrieval and transport. Kits will be inventoried on an annual basis Kits shall also be inspected prior to and upon return from all deployments. Kit inspection results shall be documented and maintained for a minimum of one year. Contents will be updated periodically to replace outdated material. Mission Capability (MISCAP) Statements for contracting UTCs are published in the War and Mobilization Plan, Volume 3, Part 3 and contain contracting cargo elements (LOGDET). Unit deployment kits may be tailored to the expected deployment location or expected emergency tasking, but they shall not exceed the size and weight limitations established in the LOGDET for the appropriate UTC. A complete assembled cargo package (UTC XFFK4) is an integral part of UTC XFFK1. Hand carried contracting kits (UTC XFFKT) are part of all other UTCs where specific taskings do not require complete cargo package. If required, the UTC XFFK4 shall be specifically tasked to accompany all UTCs other than UTC XFFK1.

PART CC-4 — TRAINING IN CONTINGENCY CONTRACTING

CC-401 Air Force CCO Training Policy

(a) Contracting Training provides initial and recurring proficiency skills needed by contracting professionals to perform duties in their primary Air Force Specialty Code or civilian job series. Training in contingency contracting skills not normally integrated into peacetime operations is particularly critical to contingency contracting officers and requires special leadership attention. Commanders and supervisors must give priority support to training.

MPCC-401 (a)(i) details a list of mandatory topics to be cover by unit-level training. This training will be used in conjunction with “Contingency Contracting: A Joint Handbook for the 21st Century,” published by the Air Force Logistics Management Agency. In addition to contingency-specific training, MPCC-401(a)(i) requires units to cover some general contracting topics. The general contracting topics may be incorporated into the squadron’s routine training program or accomplished as stand-alone courses.

CC-402 Training Provided to Non-Contracting Personnel

The contracting activity will train non-contracting personnel designated to support contingency plans on the proper use of ordering instruments, SF 44, Government Purchase Cards, and other decentralized procedures authorized for use. (NOTE: Recommend using the AFLMA’s Contingency Contracting Customer guide during this training.)

PART CC-5 — CONTRACTING SUPPORT FOR CONTINGENCY OPERATIONS

CC-501 Expedited Contracting Procedures in Contingency Operations

(a) For most critical steps in the contracting process, the acquisition tools in FAR, DFARS, and AFFARS provide flexibility to permit expedited contracting actions to satisfy urgent and compelling requirements. However, such circumstances do not provide blanket waivers of regulatory requirements, nor do they eliminate the need to maintain required controls and documentation. Examples of existing authorities to expedite contracting actions can be found in FAR Part 18 and DFARS Part 18. They include:

(1) Limiting sources in solicitations when unusual and compelling urgency precludes full and open competition (FAR 6.302-2) or competition to the maximum extent practicable (see FAR 13.104);

(2) Exceptions for issuing synopses of proposed contract actions when this would delay award and injure the Government (FAR 5.202);

(3) Awarding letter contracts and other forms of undefinitized contract actions (UCAs) to expedite start of work (see DFARS 217.74); For the fact the Government bears all of the risk until definitization, these types of contracts should be used as a last resort!

(4) Using oral solicitations (FAR 13.106, and FAR 15.203(f));

(5) Awarding contracts for emergency requirements before resolving a protest (FAR 33.104);

(6) Waiving bid guarantees (FAR 28.101-1); and

(7) The simplified acquisition threshold for acquisitions of supplies or services that, as determined by the head of the agency, are to be used to support a contingency operation or to facilitate defense against or recovery from nuclear, biological, chemical, or radiological attack (41 U.S.C. 428a), means (1) $250,000 for any contract to be awarded and performed, or purchase to be made, inside the United States; and, (2) $1 million for any contract to be awarded and performed, or purchase to be made, outside the United States (see FAR 2.101). Additionally, simplified acquisition procedures are authorized for acquisitions that do not exceed $11 million when the acquisition is for commercial items that, as determined by the head of the agency, are to be used in support of a contingency operation or to facilitate the defense against or recovery from nuclear, biological, chemical, or radiological attack. (see FAR 13.500(e)(1)).

(b) When the nature of the contingency dictates, authorities at appropriate levels may relieve CCOs of specific regulatory requirements contained in the FAR, DFARS, or AFFARS. The authority to relax requirements is limited to those requirements contained in the FAR, DFARS, and AFFARS that are based on contracting policies established at the same level of authority. Department of Defense and Air Force contracting authorities maintain standby packages to initiate relief from regulatory requirements during contingencies. In a similar manner, MAJCOM contracting activities should identify in advance command-specific requirements that may be relaxed or waived during contingency operations. Operational contracting offices should also identify local requirements that would impede contingency contracting and coordinate procedures (within their authority) to relax those requirements.

(c) For Secretary of Defense declared contingency operations, it may also be possible for a CCO to request relief from FAR, DFARS, and AFFARS requirements established as a result of statutes, Executive Orders, or other Executive Agency regulations (e.g., Department of Labor, Small Business Administration, etc.). Relief from these requirements could take considerable time to obtain, so their identification prior to declaration of a contingency operation is essential. SAF/AQC will be responsible for drafting legislative packages for relief in periods of National Emergency from statutes, Executive Orders, and Executive Agency regulations. MAJCOM SCOs are encouraged to make recommendations for FAR, DFARS, and AFFARS requirements for which relief should be requested in support of contingency operations.
CC-502 Contracting Functions Under Deployed Conditions

(a) In providing contingency contracting support, CCOs will perform tasks required by established OPLANs, contingency support plans, and this appendix. Generally, contracting support of deployment operations takes place in four phases. Each of the phases is described below. The activities normally associated with a particular phase can be found in the accompanying Informational Guidance section:

(1) Initial Deployment. This is normally the first 30-45 days of a deployment and is characterized by an extremely high operating tempo, confusion, and controlled chaos. The contingency contracting officer’s (CCO’s) first priority will be to respond to basic life support requirements. During this phase, CCOs may find themselves in the undesirable position of being the requestor, approving official, certifying officer, and transportation office for deliveries. Detailed planning can preclude some of these additional duties; however, physical limitations on the number of support personnel deployed in the early stages of a contingency will require a high degree of flexibility on the part of the CCO. Contracted support will generally be used to provide basic life support and other selected functions. The actual mix of contracting or other support mechanisms such as HNS will be based on risk, reliability, and availability of these various sources of support. Maximum use of existing “peacetime” contracting arrangements should be considered. Contracting at this time of the operation is generally focused on expediting contract award. For specific activities associated with the Initial Deployment Phase, go to IGCC-502 (a)(1);

(2) Build-up/Employment of Forces. Also known as reception, staging, onward movement, and integration (RSOI). During this phase, contracting personnel (military and civilian) and contractor personnel will continue to arrive, though not necessarily at a rate commensurate with the number of troops to be supported. In major operations, a mix of theater support and external support contracts, including AFCAP, and DLA prime vendor contracts may be extensively utilized. At this time, the comptroller may implement a formal acquisition review board process to review and make recommendations for common use logistics support requirements to include determining the specific source of support and provide prioritization of these requirements to the appropriate organization required to provide this support. During this period, a more rigid purchase request system should be established. Theater support contracting efforts will still be heavily involved with the acquisition of basic troop support requirements that are not covered by CAP task orders or other means of support. Contracting should move from the SF 44 to more long-term contracting arrangements such as SF 1449, Solicitation/Contract/Order for Commercial Items, or blanket purchase agreements. For specific activities associated with the Build-up/RSOI Phase, go to IGCC-502 (a)(2);

(3) Sustainment. The sustainment stage of the contracting support covers the period from RSOI until redeployment begins. This stage is characterized by a focus on file documentation, cost reduction, and establishing business efficiencies. At this stage, the contracting officer’s role may change from a strict focus on requirements fulfillment to a role of a business advisor. During this stage customers should proceed with a deliberate plan of action to attempt to move away from cost-plus award-fee CAP task orders and emergency procurement towards long-term contracts, such as indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity or requirements contracts. Requirements will become more defined and consolidated and the use of performance based contracting methods will be maximized when possible. The transition of CAP task orders to long-term theater support contacts is dependent on specific mission factors such as threat-level and the availability of reliable, local commercial vendor base. It is also important to note that this transition away from CAP task orders is very manpower intensive and may quickly over task the deployed contracting unit’s capabilities. For specific activities associated with the Sustainment Phase, go to IGCC-502 (a)(3);

(4) Termination/Redeployment. At this point in the contingency, long-term business arrangements with contractors should become evident in a transition to either final contract closeout or what would be considered normal peacetime business practices. This phase is characterized by significant pressure and urgency to send the troops home. Typical new requirements include packing, crating and freight services; construction and operation of wash racks for vehicles. The CCO will be required to terminate and close out existing contracts/orders. Ratifications and claims must be processed to completion. Contracting for life support services and base operations must continue until the last troop leaves. Often, the CCO can expect to be one of the last persons to leave the area. To the extent any contracts remain open at the end of an operation, arrangements should be made to transition them to successor organizations such as permanent organizational elements. For specific activities associated with the Termination/Redeployment Phase, go to IGCC-502 (a)(4).