Army Combat Cloth Face Cover

Symposium Student Poster ShowThe Army Combat Cloth Face Covering (CCFC) effort was initiated in response to the SECDEF memorandum signed April 5, 2020, subject: DoD Guidance on the Use of Cloth Face Coverings. In the memorandum, the Secretary of Defense (SECDEF) committed to implementing all measures necessary to mitigate risks to the spread of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). The memorandum signed by the SECDEF directed that all individuals on Department of Defense (DoD) property, installations, and facilities should wear a face covering when they were unable to maintain the proper social distance in public areas or work centers. Program Executive Office Soldier was directed by the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology) to identify contracting sources that could manufacture face coverings on an expedited timeline. The purpose of this study is to identify the acquisition strategy for the Army’s CCFC program. The goal is to determine if the pursued acquisition process was the most proficient approach in terms of cost, schedule, and performance. This research identifies the Army’s acquisition approach, policies, and procedures and provides recommendations on how to improve similar requirements in the future.Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited

THE ARMY COMBAT CLOTH FACE COVER

This project defines specific procurement and contracting strategies that were available for the expeditious requisition of the Army Combat Cloth Face Cover (CCFC) program based on Department of Defense (DOD) acquisition policies and the Federal Acquisition Regulation. Selected primary documentation of DOD and U.S. Army regulation, detailed acquisition documentation, DOD and Army directives, data from other federal organizations, and published research data were used to identify the acquisition process, responsibilities, and authorities of the Army. The analysis defines multiple acquisition approaches within the Adaptive Acquisition Framework (AAF), including Major Capability Acquisition, Middle Tier of Acquisition, and Urgent Capability acquisition approaches. Furthermore, the analysis determined that the most expeditious approach for the CCFC effort was using the Urgent Capability Acquisition pathway under the emergency authorization. The AAF urgent acquisition approach that the Army agencies utilized should be applied to other similar rapid requirements or future unplanned rapid acquisitions to help generate a more streamlined acquisition approach that will not only focus on quality from a safety perspective, but also meet an aggressive schedule.Lieutenant Colonel, United States ArmyCaptain, United States ArmyApproved for public release. Distribution is unlimited