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Strengthening Oversight on Kwajalein

By MAJ Brad Heinley, 413th Contracting Support BrigadeSeptember 18, 2024

In a continued effort to address the unique challenges of Kwajalein Atoll, the Army Contracting Command - Rock Island (ACC-RI) recently deployed its Contract Administration Training Center (CATC) team alongside the 413th Contracting Support Brigade (CSB) to conduct a 10-day mission focused on contract oversight and enforcement training. This mission marks a key step in building collaborative ties and increasing the capacity of personnel responsible fo

Mr. Jesse Kesolei and SSG Tyler Eissler (413th CSB) and Mr. Jacob Phillips (ACC-RI), discuss capacity and processing throughput at Hazardous Materials processing center.
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Mr. Jesse Kesolei and SSG Tyler Eissler (413th CSB) and Mr. Jacob Phillips (ACC-RI), discuss capacity and processing throughput at Hazardous Materials processing center. (Photo Credit: Photo by MAJ Brad Heinley (413th)) VIEW ORIGINAL
SSG Thien Nguyen and SSG Ida Kian (413th CSB) review maintenance logs for Fire and Emergency services at Bucholz Army Airfield.
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – SSG Thien Nguyen and SSG Ida Kian (413th CSB) review maintenance logs for Fire and Emergency services at Bucholz Army Airfield. (Photo Credit: Photo by Stephanie Brown (ACC-RI)) VIEW ORIGINAL
SSG Thien Nguyen and SSG Ida Kian (413th CSB) review maintenance logs for Fire and Emergency services at Bucholz Army Airfield.
SSG Thien Nguyen and SSG Ida Kian (413th CSB) review maintenance logs for Fire and Emergency services at Bucholz Army Airfield. (Photo Credit: Photo by Stephanie Brown (ACC-RI)) VIEW ORIGINAL

r overseeing critical services under the LOGCAP V contract.

While a property assessment conducted by the CATC team in August had already highlighted key gaps and opportunities in property management, the recent mission concentrated on hands-on contract administration training and surveillance. The 413th CSB, delegated by ACC-RI with administrative oversight of the LOGCAP contract on Kwajalein, partnered with the CATC to ensure alignment and effective oversight on the island. This collaboration was essential, as Kwajalein’s ongoing logistical and infrastructure challenges require persistent focus and the coordinated efforts of multiple entities.

The mission involved nearly 20 Contracting Officer Representatives (CORs) from the U.S. Army Garrison-Kwajalein (USAG-KA) team, including both DA civilians and active-duty soldiers with varying levels of COR experience. Their participation underscored the commitment to building a well-rounded team capable of providing thorough oversight of the island’s services. These CORs, along with the 413th’s administrators and CATC trainers, formed a diverse group unified by the goal of improving the quality and compliance of contracted services.

This initiative was distinct from the ACC Tiger Team visit in the spring of 2024, which primarily focused on process evaluation and leadership engagement. The CATC and 413th team’s mission, on the other hand, emphasized the practical application of contract oversight. Combining academic instruction with real-world surveillance, the team observed over 60 active services, monitoring adherence to contract terms and conducting quality assurance.

The academic portion of the training covered essential topics, ranging from the basics of LOGCAP to advanced methods for issuing Corrective Action Requests (CARs). By blending classroom instruction with fieldwork, the CATC and 413th staff not only enhanced the knowledge base of the CORs but also developed the 413th’s internal contract administration team. Seven additional 413th personnel deployed for the mission, bolstering the team already stationed on the island. This integration of different echelons allowed for a more comprehensive approach to training, with both new and experienced personnel benefiting from the experience.

Throughout the 10-day training and execution mission, daily informal recaps or “hot washes” allowed for timely feedback and reflection. Notes and observations gathered during these sessions culminated in a formal back-brief from CATC trainers to the Garrison Command team, highlighting key takeaways and areas for continued improvement.

While the challenges of Kwajalein—such as labor shortages, infrastructure limitations, and logistical complexities—are not easily resolved, this mission represents another step forward in addressing these issues. The collaboration between the 413th CSB, CATC, and USAG-KA CORs laid the groundwork for sustained improvement in contract oversight, ensuring that the services critical to Kwajalein’s operations are monitored and enforced.

This mission reinforced the importance of cohesive, hands-on training and collaboration across multiple levels. By strengthening the oversight capabilities of the 413th CSB and the COR team, Kwajalein is better positioned to meet its ongoing challenges. The continued focus on building contract administration expertise and fostering partnerships between contracting entities ensures that gradual but lasting improvements can be achieved for the atoll’s military and civilian personnel.