PHILADELPHIA –
The Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support’s Construction and Equipment supply chain implements cost avoidance strategies throughout their contract vehicles in an effort to improve efficiency and reduce administrative costs for military and federal customers.
As part of the C&E’s broader #EfficiencyThruAwareness campaign, the supply chain is highlighting how their pre-established acquisition methods reduce the time and resources required to procure essential equipment and materials. These efforts focus on converting labor-intensive procurement tasks, such as market research, vendor outreach, and contract negotiation, into streamlined transactions supported by ready-made contract vehicles.
“The Tailored Logistics Support Programs developed by the C&E supply chain are arguably the most efficient contracting vehicles in the Government with rapid acquisition execution and leveraged buying power, which enables DLA to enhance Service Readiness for a broad range of commodities covering the latest and greatest commercial equipment,” said Tom Page, C&E’s director of supplier operations.
Page added that the goal is to raise awareness about the programs and provide critical procurement support to the warfighter, as a cost avoidance, that will ultimately increase lethality of the services by allowing them to focus on less time-consuming acquisition workload.
The first pillar of #ETA is Cost Avoidance, which minimizes hours that are traditionally spent processing complex requests. Instead, procurement teams use existing Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity contracts and other acquisition tools to fulfill requirements rapidly and efficiently.
Chauntelle Chandler, a purchasing agent at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., said the efficiency of C&E’s contract vehicles has reduced procurement timelines from weeks or months to just days.
“With DLA handling the contracting side of things, my customers are able to send me a list of items they require, and I simply add the manufacturer information and end-use/justifications to a spreadsheet and email it,” Chandler said. “DLA handles the nitty gritty by getting quotes, working with vendors, and handling the final payouts. This gives me more time to assist them in the other purchases we make.”
C&E provides support for a wide range of critical needs, including construction materials, heavy equipment, maintenance supplies, and emergency response items. The focus on reducing administrative workload allows military and federal customers to redirect valuable time and resources toward mission-focused activities rather than procurement logistics, according to George Ohanian, combat terrain product director at the Army Geospatial Center.
“Our ability to leverage DLA investments not only decreased our acquisition cycle times but also provided end users with the right product at the right time at the right price,” Ohanian said.
Cost avoidance is one of four pillars of the #EfficiencyThroughAwareness campaign, which also includes Economies of Scale, Pre-Negotiated Pricing, and Leveraged Buying Power. Together, these initiatives improve supply chain responsiveness and reduce overall expenditures.
By continuing to modernize acquisition strategies and emphasize efficiency, DLA Troop Support helps to ensure customers receive the materials they need, when and where they need them, within budget, while maintaining the flexibility and responsiveness required for evolving mission demands.