While digging around for this piece about the contractors named as defendants in the Abu Ghraib lawsuits, I came across this beautiful missive, from the hardworking people at the Navy's Defense Supply Center in Philadelphia. This isn't news news, but useful nonetheless.
Both of Bush's wars have been designated "contingency operations," which is perhaps itself questionable, for other reasons. "Contingency" like "police action," something necessary, temporary, and not your concern. (Nothing to see here. Move along.)
What it means for private contractors, who Peter Singer teaches us are more and more central in warfare and even helped plan the Iraq invasion, is a game of Contractopoly. Do-not-pass-go, do collect $200 million.
a. Contractors need not be registered in the Central Contractor Registration database when awarded a contract by a deployed contracting officer and the award is in support of the contingency. (DFARS 204.7302/DGPA 204.73)
The award is in support of the contingency?" In support of whatever caused you to declare this is an emergency? But the misuse of English is an easy target; what mattters here is the first part. These contracts, of whatever size (see below), don't have to be awarded to a company that's been through the vetting processes has been set up to ensure that those who do business with the federal government are reputable, stable, and have some experience in the task you're contracting for.
b. An overseas contracting officer supporting a contingency operation, humanitarian or peacekeeping operation may use the Government-wide purchase card to make a purchase that exceeds the micro-purchase threshold but does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold ($200,000), if the supplies or services being purchased are immediately available, and, one delivery and one payment will be made. (DFARS 213.301/DGPA 13.301)
c. Overseas purchases are exempt from the requirement to use Government-wide purchase cards at or below the micro-purchase threshold. (DFARS 213.301/DGPA 13.301)
I love the idea of these cards, where a "micro-purchase" could mean a ream of paper, could mean a tank.
d. Imprest funds are authorized, without further approval, for overseas transactions at or below the micro-purchase threshold. (DFARS 213.303)
"Imprest funds." The funds of people in the country in question, or the warlord/dictator you're fighting -- rather than give those funds back, you can use that money for supplies as you march through. I wonder why this card is in the deck? Did a previous incident require this bit of CYA?
e. The head of the agency may waive limitations on the price ceiling, definitization schedule and limitations on obligation for undefinitized contract actions, including letter contracts, if it is determined that the waiver is necessary to support a contingency operation. (DFARS 217.7404-5)
Don't let yourself get distracted by the bureaucratese. This is the most important card of all, especially if you have trouble meeting deadlines or think you just might need another million. And should you be one of those companies that's had your wrist slapped for turning a blind eye to human rights abuses, like DynCorp, the message is clear:
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