JFCOM, EUCOM and NATO sent representatives to a strategic engagement event focused on contingency contracting in Skopje, Macedonia from 6 – 8 April. Part of LOGEX 09, the Army of the Republic of Macedonia hosted a Deployed Contracting and National Support Element Workshop.

The aim of the workshop was to train members of the Macedonian, Albanian and Croatian Armed Forces on deployment, NATO C2 systems, host nation support and sustainment as related to contingency contracting.

I provided information and experience from a U.S.-contracting perspective. Combined with the NATO/JFCOM members, the workshop participants were afforded a wide range of expertise.

The first day of the workshop consisted of briefings related to U.S./NATO contracting policies and procedures; contingency contracting tools; and the NATO Maintenance and Supply Agency. On the second day, the group discussed methods for managing contracts and the use of Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreements. Following these sessions, the military officers participated in hands-on simulations and planning exercises related to contingency contracting.

Ultimately, the Macedonian, Albanian and Croatian officers successfully applied deployed contracting principles in their planning exercises. In addition to developing these skills in LOGEX 09, this workshop provided direct support to NATO transformation initiatives for out-of-area operations.

Lt. Col. Ray Barben
ECJ4 Contingency Contracting Chief