DSB On Support Contractors

The Defense Science Board has been asked to study the issue of contractor logistics support of contingency operations.

In a March 8 memo, Frank Kendall, the acting Pentagon acquisition executive, said a DSB task force should look at several issues including Defense Department policies and procedures for planning contractor logistics support of contingency operations, the organization and staffing needed to put those policies into practice, and the development of doctrine for such operations.

Kendall said the review should include conclusions and recommendations tied to legislative or policy guidance to address the issues studied. He also wants to know if future Quadrennial Defense Reviews or other high-level assessments should be required to consider contractor support of the armed services in "conducting peacetime training, peacekeeping, overseas contingency operations, and major combat operations and the risks associated with such support."