Army Corps of Engineers leverages DLA acquisition processes

FORT BELVOIR, Va. -

When a container ship struck the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore in March and sent three sections crashing into the river below, members of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers stood ready to help clear the wreckage.

The Defense Logistics Agency was ready, too, to provide whatever supplies USACE might need, from dive equipment to fuel.

"We bring value to emergency response because our acquisition processes and contracting vehicles allow us to get parts quicker than USACE might be able to on their own," said Rhonda Mustafaa, a DLA liaison officer for USACE.

USACE uses DLA Troop Support's Material, Repair and Operations Program to reduce costs for construction equipment including sump pumps and crane cables. Items like hydraulic steel structures are also procured through the Metals Tailored Logistics Support Program and are used by several USACE districts to control water during navigation and flood control projects.

Deployable operations vehicles that USACE uses for command and control in disaster environments are provided by DLA, as well. In search of an economic way to update their 40-year-old systems, USACE recently invited DLA to brief its replacement strategy.

"Their contracting director at the time quickly agreed that DLA was much better postured to support the effort," Mustafaa said. "It was a really big deal for them to say we had the best value because it was a $10 million acquisition."

DLA awarded a contract in July 2023 for phased delivery of six vehicles by September 2025.

New safety helmets are another example of support, with DLA streamlining procurement and now having stock for continuous orders from USACE districts across the country. DLA Disposition Services has also helped USACE turn in excess construction material, most of which is now being repurposed by other federal agencies.

"From vital construction equipment that we need to succeed in our engineering mission to some of the protective gear we wear on job sites, DLA has helped us acquire material quickly and at fair prices," said Army Brig. Gen. Kirk Gibbs, USACE's deputy commanding general for military and international operations. "We've come to trust and rely on DLA, and we're open to exploring other types of support they provide."

During a September workshop with dredging and floating plant teams in Memphis, Tennessee, Mustafaa shared details on DLA capabilities that USACE has yet to tap. For example, USACE often uses the Ships' Easy Acquisition Card® from DLA Energy. But refueling challenges remain, Mustafaa said, and DLA may develop long-term contracts or use other flexible contracting methods to streamline USACE's processes and ensure efficient delivery.

"We can work more closely to tailor our contract structures to meet their specific needs, ensuring quicker responses to unplanned maintenance and repair requirements," Mustafaa added.

Logistics assessment visits at USACE districts help her pinpoint areas where DLA can contribute or strengthen the interagency partnership. Feedback from some USACE members led DLA's supply chain and contracting officials to improve visibility of USACE requisitions, and additional support representatives have been assigned by name to specific USACE regions. Efforts are underway to also streamline order management and provide real-time tracking.

"We're very honest and transparent when we go out to visit USACE sites because there's nothing to gain from withholding information or not being accountable for things we could do better," Mustafaa said. "Recognizing that helps us fortify the trust we've earned and built over time."

USACE's confidence in DLA is crucial, especially during emergency responses, she continued.

"We're the only other agency that has a seat at the table at USACE when there's any type of emergency response. That really speaks to the partnership and engagement we have," Mustafaa said.

DLA began supporting USACE in 2012 during the response to Hurricane Sandy, when it preemptively sent dewatering pumps to help engineers restore power in Manhattan.

"Therein lies the birth of our first memorandum of agreement defining the terms of how DLA would support USACE during contingency operations," she said. "It was the start of a partnership that has ballooned into something much more."

Although DLA didn't directly support USACE's response to hurricanes Helene and Milton, 26 generators it provided to FEMA were used by USACE during Milton recovery. DLA is now providing an estimate for a reverse osmosis water purification unit that USACE may purchase for ongoing recovery in North Carolina.

In other contingency support, DLA was asked to provide an acquisition strategy for medical equipment needed to treat COVID-19 cases at makeshift hospitals USACE constructed in New York. More recently, the agency supplied sandbags and barrier equipment to support flood control during the 2023 hurricane season.

DLA and USACE leaders are scheduled to meet at DLA Headquarters in January to review previous support and outline new goals.

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