The Buy Better Revolution (BBR) is underway! You shared the challenges you face to get the goods and services you need, and we heard you! The Deputy Commandant for Mission Support (DCMS), VADM Tom Allan, chartered the Contracting and Procurement (C&P) Modernization Program Integration Office (PIO) to do just that: find ways to make buying easier for you.
To drive Modernization forward, the PIO will carry out recommendations to improve the way the Coast Guard buys the goods and services needed for operations. Mr. Keith O’Neill, the Coast Guard’s Head of the Contracting Activity (HCA), leads the C&P PIO and is supported by a diverse team of leaders across all of DCMS.
As VADM Allan says, “in the United States Coast Guard, every life saved, ounce of illicit drugs and controlled substance interdicted, vessel inspected, and aid to navigation serviced is supported by our contracting partners. Efficient procurement is key to ensuring our Coast Guard personnel have the resources they need to stay mission ready. The Contracting & Procurement Modernization is essential to keeping pace with evolving challenges and ensuring the Coast Guard is equipped with the resources needed to sustain its critical operations”
Under the broader initiative of Buy Better Revolution, the C&P Modernization PIO is working on the 20 strategic short- and long-term recommendations in the C&P Modernization Blueprint.
In line with the chapters of the Blueprint, the PIO has four action teams to:
The C&P Modernization PIO is bringing common-sense solutions to the table. While this may not sound very exciting to those of you out in the field, these steps lay the groundwork to usher in true C&P reform.
Commanders’ Business
The C&P Modernization Blueprint introduces the concept that C&P is “Commander’s Business” – a recognition that C&P is as important a consideration as other lines of business, like operations, engineering, logistics, cyber, financial, legal, etc. Embracing C&P as Commander's Business will require a top down, enterprise-wide culture change. Acceptance of Commander’s Business concept will require two things:
Blueprint Efforts
Two of the major initiatives the PIO is focused on:
- The Coast Guard recently elevated the level of the Head of the Contracting Activity (HCA) to report directly to the DCMS-Deputy for Mission Readiness (DMR). Previously, the HCA reported to the Acquisition Directorate (CG-9). The majority of contracting in the Coast Guard, however, is not in Acquisition but rather in sustainment. Moving the HCA to report to DMR is a response to the need for C&P to be included in executive planning in mission support.
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The PIO is looking to standardize the reporting structure of the Chiefs of the Contracting Offices (COCOs) to report to Mission Support commands with second-line reporting to the HCA. Currently, some COCOs report to Mission Support Commands and other COCOs report to the HCA. Aligning the COCO reporting chain to Mission Support commands not only provides consistency but also reinforces the tenet that C&P is Commanders’ Business.
You can view the C&P Modernization PIO status tracker, which provides a comprehensive listing of completed, active, and inactive initiatives for all 20 recommendations. You can access the status tracker here.
The C&P Modernization PIO wants to hear your ideas that will help improve the way we do business. Please ask questions, provide feedback, and connect with the C&P Modernization PIO by emailing the C&P Modernization Inbox.
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