FM-3-81 Maneuver Enhancement Brigade Download
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Chapter 5 5-6 FM 3-81 09 November 2021 5-21. Normally the MEB uses the supply point distribution method from the supporting sustainment brigade or a combat sustainment support battalion. If the MEB S-4 determines that the unit distribution method is required, it coordinates with the supporting sustainment unit to distribute among all the bases in the base cluster, METT-TC-dependent, or those MEB subordinate units would travel to an established supply distribution point to pick up supplies. The MEB would not establish supply points for its subordinate units unless a high degree of control was required. See ATP 4-42 for additional information on the two methods of supply for an operational environment. Operational Contract Support 5-22. The Army has consolidated its theater support contracting capabilities into separate table of organization and equipment units. These units include the contracting support brigades and contracting battalions. Operational contract support is the process of planning for and obtaining supplies, services, and construction from commercial sources in support of combatant commander-directed operations. The contracting support brigade and its subordinate unit primary missions include— Providing theater support contracting capabilities to deployed ARFOR and to other military forces, governmental agencies, and/or nongovernmental agencies, as directed. Assisting theater Army and ARFOR staffs in developing operational contract support plans (annex W of the OPLAN). These plans will include mission-specific contracting and contractor-specific integration, synchronization, and management information. Coordinating the execution of planned theater support contracts and coordination with the supporting Army field support battalion. 5-23. The contracting support brigades are regionally aligned to a specific theater Army. When deployed, the contracting support brigade has a direct support relationship with the ARFOR commander in the operational area and executes its contracting mission under the direction and contracting authority of the Army contracting command. The ARFOR commander may further delegate this direct support relationship per METT-TC factors. Theater support contracting actions in support to the MEB will be executed in a general support manner. 5-24. Contracting is a key source of support for deployed armed forces in unified land operations. Because of the importance and unique challenges of operational contract support, the MEB commander and staff need to fully understand their role in planning and managing contracted support in the AO. Current doctrine describes three broad types of contracted support—theater support, external support, and systems support. Theater support contracts. Theater support contracts are contracts awarded by contingency contracting officers deployed to the operational area. They provide the ability to rapidly contract for logistics support within a theater of operations. Theater-support contractors acquire goods, services, and minor construction support, usually from local commercial sources, to meet the immediate needs of operational commanders. Theater support contracts are the type of contract typically associated with contingency contracting. MEBs often require activity for theater support contract support actions related to both internal and external missions. Theater support contracts in support of MEB missions are normally executed on a regionally aligned basis. External support contracts. External support contracts provide a variety of mission support to deployed forces. External support contracts may be prearranged contracts or contracts awarded during the contingency itself to support the mission and may include a mix of U.S. citizens, third country nationals, and local national subcontractor employees. The largest and most commonly used external support contract is logistics civil augmentation program. This Army program is commonly used to provide life support, transportation support, and other supporting functions to deployed ARFOR and other elements of the joint force. In most operations, the MEB is a supported unit, but not the requiring activity when it comes to logistics civil augmentation program support. Systems support contracts. Systems support contracts are prearranged contracts awarded by and funded by acquisition program executive officers and project/product management officers. These contracts provide technical support, maintenance support and, in some cases, Class IX support for a variety of nontype classified and selected other Army weapon and support systems. System contractors, made up of U.S. citizens, provide support in garrison, and may deploy with the force