Trends in Marine Corps Procurement: Analyzing Sourcing Patterns Between the Defense Logistics Agency and Regional Contracting Offices at the Marine Expeditionary Force Level

Abstract

This study examines Marine Corps procurement behavior at the Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF) level, focusing on how I MEF, II MEF, and III MEF allocate obligations and contracting actions between enterprise-managed acquisitions through the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) and decentralized purchases executed by Regional Contracting Offices (RCOs). Using contract-level data from the Defense Agencies Initiative (DAI) and the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) for FY24–FY25, the analysis evaluates more than $199 million and 2,000 procurement actions across 27 spending categories. Key measures include dollars obligated, number of transactions, and the proportion of spend awarded through each channel by fiscal year, MEF, and category. Results show distinct sourcing patterns tied to mission demands and geography. DLA predominantly supports high-volume, standardized commodity purchases, while RCOs manage mission-specific and location-dependent requirements. Although expected based on policy roles, this research quantifies the scale and variation of sourcing behavior across MEFs, demonstrating how operational context drives procurement execution. Findings highlight the value of a balanced dual-channel approach to preserve scale efficiency and operational agility. Recommendations include incorporating procurement trend reviews into MEF planning, strengthening expeditionary RCO capacity, and improving enterprise data visibility to guide sourcing decisions.