text: Operational Art and Planning
  * Coordinate FM requirements. The FMSC works closely with supported units to determine FM
  requirements and prioritize delivery of FM support. The FMSC must maintain continuous
  visibility on the location, number, and composition of supported units within the AO in order to
  anticipate changes in FM requirements and adjust existing FM support plans to address the
  changes. In coordination with G-8 and FMSUs, the FMSC monitors and reports cash
  requirements for special funding sources such as CERP, for Soldier support (check cashing,
  local and partial payments, and exchange transactions), and vendor payments. The FMSC also
  supports quarterly cash verification requirements for subordinate FM units IAW DODFMR
  Volume 5.
  * Coordinate operations and FM support. The FMSC establishes mutually supporting flow of
  information among the G-8, contracting, and FM units enabling responsive FM support on the
  battlefield. The FMSC provides technical FM guidance to supported units and activities.
  CONSIDERATIONS IN SUPPORT OF THE PROCUREMENT
  PROCESS
  6-29. Throughout U.S. history, contractors have been employed to provide capabilities or skills not
  included in the available uniformed force structure. During the last two decades of operations in the
  Balkans, Iraq, and Afghanistan, the military’s dependence on contractors was unprecedented. Between
  2001 to 2012, the U.S. government spent almost $200 billion in contracts and employed more than 250,000
  contractors in support of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. With capabilities running the gamut of support
  functions from security, distribution, and base operations to linguists and trainers, the number of
  contractors has often exceeded the uniformed military force. Contracting support is an essential part of the
  Army’s force projection capability and must be included in all OPLANs. Effective OCS requires close
  coordination between contingency contracting officers, FM, Legal, and the supported command or activity.
  6-30. The FM mission plays a critical role in the OCS end-to-end procurement process by acquiring and
  certifying funds, accounting for expenditures and disbursements, and providing oversight to prevent losses
  from fraud, waste, abuse, improper or illegal payments, thievery, and lapses in security. By coordinating
  with supporting contracting activities and the SJA regarding local business practices, financial managers
  greatly reduce the probability of improper or illegal payments. FM and contracting planners closely
  coordinate to ensure FM plans and the Operational Contract Support Plan support one another to best
  support the Army and JFCs.
  6-31. Contracting is a key source of support for deployed armed forces across unified land operations.
  Because of the importance and the associated challenges of FM support to OCS actions, financial mangers
  throughout all FM units and staffs need a basic understanding of OCS. Current doctrine describes three
  broad types of contracted support: theater support, external support, and system support.
  * Theater Support Contracts: Typically associated with the term contingency contracting, these
  contracts are awarded by contracting officers in the operational area serving under the direct
  contracting authority of the ECC or designated joint Head of Contracting Agency for the
  designated contingency operation. During an OCO, these contracts are normally executed under
  expedited contracting authority and provide supplies, services, and construction generally from
  local commercial sources.
  * External Support Contracts: External support contracts are contracts awarded by contracting
  organizations whose contracting authority does not derive directly from the theater Head of
  Contracting Agency or from systems support contracting authorities. These contracts provide a
  variety of logistic and other noncombat related services and supply support. Most familiar to the
  Army is the LOGCAP. 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 Defense
  Logistics’ Agency’s Prime Vendor contract for Class I represents another example of an external
  support contract. More detailed information on LOGCAP can be found in ATTP 4-10, Field
  Manual 4-92, and AR 700-137.