text: Chapter 5
  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