Qatar contracting center conducts first-ever industry outreach event

By Maj. Mike Carroll, Regional Contracting Center-QatarMarch 21, 2016

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1 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Contractors representing more than 20 different construction companies participated in the inaugural RCC-QA Industry Outreach Event conducted March 3, 2016. Here the contractors are pictured receiving informational briefs on base access standards fo... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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2 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Members of the RCC-QA Pre-Award Team pose with LTC Williams at the MATOC Industry Outreach Day. Pictured from l to r are: SSG Andre Furman, SFC Dontrell Brown, Mr. Michael Kraft, MAJ Trevor Chambers, Mr. Kevin Lofton, LTC Hurchel Williams, Ms. Shim... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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3 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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4 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

CAMP AS SAYLIYAH, Qatar--One Army Contracting Command unit is working to change the way the Army communicates with its vendor base here.

Within the continental United States contracting organizations frequently use industry outreach events to inform local vendors about emerging requirements and provide networking opportunities for both the defense acquisition professionals and business leaders from the local communities. Due to increased security concerns and a significantly higher operational tempo, the same types of events are very rare within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. The Regional Contracting Center-Qatar is looking to change that trend.

The contracting center is currently developing a multiple award task order contract--MATOC for short--that will support safety and quality of life minor construction efforts in support of U.S. forces operating in Qatar. The total scope of the contract and associated task orders is expected to total $49 million over five years. Compounding the difficulty of construction contracting in Qatar are the unique demands being placed on the local vendor base due to construction supporting the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

In light of these factors Lt. Col. Hurchel Williams, RCC-QA commander, said he knew he needed to find a way to draw attention to the new requirements. Williams turned to his Pre-Award team to execute his vision of developing a cohesive team consisting of the requiring activities, local vendors and acquisition professionals.

Under the leadership of Maj. Trevor Chambers, Pre-Award branch chief, RCC-QA contracting officers and specialists developed a curriculum, prepared informational briefs and handouts and organized the Industry Outreach Day. The March 3 event was the first of its kind in the history of RCC-QA and Qatar. Chambers' team provided information to local vendors on topics such as how task orders are awarded under the MATOC structure, the technical evaluation process, proper vendor registration in the various systems, access to government facilities, and payment procedures in Wide Area Work Flow.

One topic vendors found most interesting was the procurement of Defense Base Act compliant insurance. This workers compensation type insurance provides protection for contracted employees and is essential in order to protect the government from liability claims.

Sgt. First Class Shermaine Malone, sRCC-QA senior enlisted advisor, highlighted Shimeka Goston's delivery of the system registration requirement presentation. Goston not only provided the basics of how to register for the individual systems that are required, but also explained how those systems interact with each other and why each is needed. The contracting center commander agreed.

"I've been working in the contracting field for a long time and even I found myself enthralled by her portion of the presentation," Williams said. "Her delivery of the material greatly enhanced the impact of the industry day. As strong as Ms. Goston's performance was, it was representative of the entire team and the quality of work I have come to expect from them on a daily basis."

In addition to the routine requirements that all contracting organizations face in conducting these types of outreach events, RCC-QA had to deal with the force protection and cultural aspects that come with being stationed in the CENTCOM AOR. Leading these coordination efforts was left to Michael Kraft, lead contracting specialist on the MATOC. Kraft cleared the venue selection with the local Provost Marshal's office and coordinated for all additional security requirements. Kraft also coordinated with the Area Support Group -- Qatar Chief of Civil Affairs, Hani Abukishk, who provided cultural advice prior to the event and was on site to provide any needed expertise or translation of technical words.

Participant feedback indicated the Industry Outreach event was a success. RCC-QA is already planning a much larger joint event with the Air Force in in the first quarter of fiscal year 2017. Williams' intent is for this new event to focus on supplies and services.

"The future of contracting in Qatar is bright," Williams said. "Through our interactions with both the requiring activities and the vendor base, we will ensure that we maintain a mutually beneficial relationship between us all."