U.S. Army forces began deploying in late September in order to support the U.S. Agency for International Development mission to combat Ebola in West African nations and contracting officers were among the first to arrive.
As the Department of Defense began planning for its role in supporting USAID in the battle against the disease, the Army was designated the lead service for contracting and the lead service for contracting coordination.
Soldiers from the Army Contracting Command's 414th Contracting Support Brigade, Vicenza, Italy, deployed to Liberia and Senegal in late September to support the relief efforts.
According to Col. Christine Beeler, 414th CSB commander, contracting officers are force multipliers who set the stage for follow-on forces. By contracting for goods and services on the local economy, they reduce the demand on the logistical system, she explained. Soon after arriving in Liberia, the contracting officers began coordinating with U.S. Embassy representatives and meeting with potential vendors, she said.
"The 414th's mission is to enable joint and Army land force commanders to achieve objectives by harnessing the capabilities available in the commercial market," Beeler said. "The contracting Soldiers in Liberia and Senegal have been doing just that since they deployed just over a month ago."
Maj. Bruce Skrabanak, chief, Regional Contracting Office-Liberia, said the contracting officers have been coordinating for a wide range of services and supplies from site preparation for Ebola treatment units, or ETUs, to fuel and portable toilets. He said it's more efficient to arrange for local suppliers of basic life support and minor construction than to ship resources from outside of the operational area. Skrabanak said the efforts of the contracting officers have been essential with as many as 12 of the 17 planned ETUs complete or nearing completion.
"RCO- Liberia awards and administers theater support contracts for basic life support requirements and minor construction in support of Operation United Assistance," Skrabanak said. "We have executed 35 contracts and managed 14 field ordering officer purchases valued at more than $3.2 million in just over three weeks."
Currently there are 13 Soldiers from the 414th in Africa supporting OUA.
"Junior non-commissioned officers have been instrumental in the success of RCO Liberia. Each NCO has brought unique skills and experiences to the fight and when called upon to execute extremely short notice or no-notice contracts, they have responded." said Skrabanak
ACC support to OUA extends beyond the African continent. According to Beeler, the 414th continues to support U.S. Africa Command with around-the-clock planners in Europe and other ACC Soldiers and civilians are providing reach-back support at the ACC-Rock Island, Illinois contracting center.
Related Links:
U.S. Army news, information about Army's response to Ebola threat
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