PHILADELPHIA –
In the fast-paced realm of procurement, efficiency is critical for warfighter mission success.
The Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support's Construction and Equipment supply chain is spearheading the #EfficiencyThruAwareness campaign to raise awareness about their programs’ efficient and effective acquisition processes.
The initiative aims to enhance procurement efficiency and share this valuable knowledge in an impactful and viral manner, according to C&E Director of Customer Operations Marko Graham.
“We established this campaign to get the Warfighter what they need faster – by turning weeks into days and hours into minutes,” he said. “To achieve this, we need to push the message of our program’s intent and benefits – with a strong emphasis on efficiency and transparency.”
The C&E campaign focuses on four key pillars: Cost Avoidance, Economies of Scale, Pre-Negotiated Government Pricing, and Leveraged Buying Power. These pillars are strategically designed to optimize resource allocation, boost operational effectiveness, and save C&E customers time and money.
“This campaign empowers customers with the ability to achieve their mission efficiently and effectively,” said Michael Dunn, C&E tailored vendor logistics specialist. “We want to showcase how C&E goes beyond simply construction and equipment materials – it's so much more.”
Cost Avoidance: Reducing processing time and expenses
Utilizing Indefinite Delivery Indefnite Quantity contracts simplify the procurement process by cutting both lead time and costs. What would typically take months to be placed on a contract can be accomplished within a week.
“Our commercial-off-the-shelf programs allow the customer to reduce their administrative costs by decreasing the time and effort spent on tasks like market research and comparing quotes,” said Erin Tierney, C&E tailored vendor logistics specialist.
Economies of Scale: Lowering costs through bulk purchases
C&E leverages its bulk purchasing power to offer customers cost savings to essential materials by utilizing commercial industry capabilities.
The only effort required of the end user is to know which specific item they would like to procure, said Adam Tutolo, C&E readiness chief.
“Our programs are constantly supporting requirements of large quantity orders which yield discounts”, he said.
Pre-negotiated Government Prices: Ensuring competitive and reliable pricing
Pre-negotiated government contracts offer streamlined access to competitively sourced materials which save valuable time and resources.
"I wish I'd known about this program when I was in the service”, said Jim Kana, C&E tailored vendor logistics specialist and retired Air Force chief master sergeant. “DLA's pre-negotiated government contracts are a game-changer,”
Troop Support provides access to a wide range of materials and services at competitive, standardized rates which allow the customer to focus on their core mission.
Kana said he has seen how budget constraints can impact mission effectiveness during his 37 years of military and federal service, and that DLA’s ability to provide consistent, competitive pricing through its various programs provides stability in an ever-changing environment.
“DLA's ability to provide 'Best Value Determinations' for essential supplies and services is crucial,” he said. “It maximizes taxpayer dollars, supports our nation's strategic initiatives, and ensures our warfighters get what they need, where and when they need it.”
Leveraged Buying Power: Strengthening procurement capabilities
C&E leverages its size and buying power to secure bulk discounts and favorable contract terms, which enhance supply chain reliability and efficiency. This minimizes the risk of shortages and delays while enabling greater flexibility and more strategic sourcing decisions.
“C&E’s leveraged buying power, whether through our management of traditional National Stock Numbers or our Tailored Logistics Support programs, allows us to negotiate more advantageous pricing for our customers based on the volume of orders that we place with key strategic manufacturers,” said John Finchen, C&E special projects lead. “Our supply chain processes billions of dollars in transactions on behalf of our customers every year and maintains contracts with major Original Equipment Manufacturers to provide the critical items and systems to the warfighter.”
Learn more about #EfficiencyThruAwareness and C&E logistics programs by scanning the QR code on the accompanying illustration.