An Analytical Evaluation of Contingency Contracting Operations in Iraq and Afghanistan: Capturing Critical Corporate Knowledge for the Future

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to capture valuable corporate knowledge from the senior leaders responsible for contingency contracting operations in Iraq and Afghanistan for two primary reasons. The first reason is to document the history and evolution of CENTCOM Joint Theater Support Contracting Command (CJTSCC); and the second, to use the consolidated lessons learned to shape recommendations to improve future contingency contracting operations. In this study, we focused on senior-level leadership within the DoD, both from the acquisition and non-acquisition communities, to capture strategic-level lessons learned. Our research relies on qualitative data received via interviews with senior leaders. The loss of organic resources during the past 21 years of force restructuring and reductions left many capability gaps, and increased the need for contracted support. Operations in Iraq and Afghanistan only magnified the DoD's reliance on contracted support, and forced the DoD to focus on the effectiveness and efficiency of contingency contracting activities. The evolution of contingency contracting has not only been in scope, but in the expectations placed on contingency contracting officers, the use of contingency contracting as a battlefield enabler, and the recognition of the need to manage contractors as part of the total force.