AFARS -- Appendix CC
[AFARS Revision #23, dated May 16, 2008]
Army Procurement Management Review Program
This Appendix prescribes policy, responsibilities, and procedures for the Department of the Army (DA) PMR Program.
CC-101 – Mission and Objectives.
The Department of the Army, through the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army (Procurement), shall establish, execute, and provide oversight of a multi-tier PMR program reviewing each contracting activity every two years in order to --
(a) Assess, analyze, and communicate the health of Army contracting to senior Army leadership;
(b) Ensure management oversight and control of contracting related issues;
(c) Ensure compliance with Federal, Defense, and Army acquisition regulations and policies; and
(c) Provide acquisition management consultant services for the Army to enhance the procurement process.
This Appendix applies to all elements of the Army (including the Corps of Engineers and the National Guard Bureau) having contracting missions (regardless of funding source, type of commodity, or service).
Part 2 -- PMR Policy and Philosophy
The DA, at every level of management, shall review, assess, analyze, and improve contracting operations and management for effectiveness, efficiency and compliance.
The PMR Program effects change through continous improvement and verifies compliance with acquisition policies and regulations. The PMR Program provides an interactive framework emphasizing communication, assessment, and assistance throughout the Army. Data collection, analysis, identification of best practices, and other information allow the assessment of the state of Army contracting operations, organization and management, and provide a forum for solution and development of issues..
CC-301 -- Assistant Secretary of the Army (Acquisition, Logistics and Technology) (ASA(AL&T)).
The ASA (AL&T) is the Army Acquisition Executive (AAE) and the Senior Procurement Executive (SPE) for the Army, and is responsible for all procurement and contracting functions of the Army to include agency head authority for contracting matters; delegation of contracting authority; designation of contracting activities; promulgating Army contracting policies and procedures (Army Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (AFARS)); and procurement management review program activities. This includes initial development, implementation and promulgation of acquisition, procurement and contracting policies, procedures, and good business practices. The ASA(ALT) is responsible for funding and staffing the PMR Program.
CC-302 -- Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Procurement (DASA(P)).
The DASA(P) is the DA proponent for the PMR Program. The DASA (P) is responsible for providing responsive, responsible management and execution of contracting functions Army-wide, and issuing guidance, on a periodic basis, on areas of special interest to the Army senior leadership. This includes providing policy guidance on all contracting operations and contracting support of weapon systems acquisition. The DASA(P) will provide oversight of the organizations, resources, policies and procedures related to the management and execution of Army contracting world-wide; serve as the Army lead for implementation, management, and oversight of acquisition initiatives and excellence; manage the Army’s contracting and acquisition career programs; and ensure competition and all special interest and socio-economic program goals are supported.
CC-303 -- Directorate of Business Operations (SAAL-PB), Office of the DASA(P).
SAAL-PB is responsible for the effective administration and conduct of the PMR Program. To this end, SAAL-PB will --
(a) Provide a Program Director to coordinate, manage, and oversee the Army-wide PMR Program.
(b) Provide acquisition management advice to the Army.
(c) Analyze and assess the effectiveness and efficiency of Army contracting programs and operations.
(d) Identify and communicate contracting best practices, lessons learned, bench marks, and information.
(e) Oversee Army-wide execution of the PMR Program as administered by the Heads of Contracting Activities (HCA).
(f) Periodically provide PMR guidance to HCAs, including the DASA(P) special areas of interest.
(g) Be an advocate of the field for the coordination and resolution of issues at DA or higher levels.
CC-304 -- Heads of Contracting Activity.
HCAs shall --
(a) Execute the Army PMR program under the direction of the DASA (P) to ensure fulfillment of HCA responsibilities for a responsive and cost-effective contracting system, and review contracting compliance with FAR, DFARS, AFARS, Command Supplements, and DA Policy, consistent with DA PMR objectives and DASA(P) special areas of interest.
(b) Provide a senior representative from their staff to act as their representative on the Army’s PMR Advisory Team.
(c) Provide supplemental staff support as required to conduct DA- level reviews.
(d) Identify and communicate procurement best practices, lessons learned, bench marks, and information to SAAL-PB.
COR site visits will be conducted on a planned basis, when requested, or when directed by higher authority. At a minimum, PMRs will be conducted on every contracting command/activity (except the National Guard Bureau), to include subordinate contracting offices, regardless of the level, at least once every 24 months. An extension to three years may be granted on a one-time basis when circumstances justify it and provided a written approval of such an extension is obtained from the DASA(P). This approval may not be delegated. The National Guard Bureau review schedule shall be approved biannually by the DASA (P) and may be further delegated.
CC-401 -- Types of Procurement Management Reviews.
The PMR is a multi-tiered program that includes --
(a) PMR visits by the Office of the DASA(P) (ODASA(P)) to the headquarters, contracting Army Commands/Activities, and Offices of Principal Assistants Responsible for Contracting (OPARC). OPARCs not directly involved in the execution of contracts will propose a subordinate contracting activity for supplemental review.
(b) PMR visits by the HCA to Offices of the Directors of Contracting and other subordinate contracting offices.
(c) PMR visits by the Directors of Contracting to subordinate contracting offices.
(d) Special assistance, review and assessment, Army-wide, as required.
(e) Surveys.
CC-402 -- Approach of Procurement Management Reviews.
(a) PMRs will be collaborative and will emphasize effectiveness of strategic planning, identification and effectiveness of metrics, and the flow of information among organizations at the headquarters and OPARC levels. PMRs will emphasize effectiveness along with compliance with procurement laws, regulations, policies, and best practices at the contract execution level. Current improvements in contracting policies and procedures will be addressed.
(b) PMRs will, in a consultant capacity, provide for the exchange of information and advice on lessons learned, best practices, mitigation of barriers to effective change, and opportunities for continuous improvement.
(c) Participation by the ODASA(P) in OPARC PMRs will address PMR objectives and enhance the OPARC team in achieving its responsibilities pursuant to this Appendix.
CC-403 -- Preparation for Procurement Management Reviews.
Procurement organizations will be notified by the ODASA(P) before planned PMR visits. The activity shall provide in advance: metrics, specified statistics, lists of contracts, orientation data (such as vision and mission statements and standard operating procedures), logistical support, and copies of previous review reports and previous corrective action plans. Additionally, the activity may request additional areas of emphasis and assistance during the PMR.
CC-404 -- Results of Procurement Management Reviews.
(a) Each PMR will be summarized in a report containing: risk assessment, analysis of issues, commendations, observations, findings, and recommendations as appropriate.
(b) Information from PMRs will be disseminated on a quarterly basis utilizing various mediums of communication, such as the website, e-mails, newsletters, memoranda, conferences, special meetings, integrated process teams, and other channels.
(c) PMRs at every level shall be completed in a timely manner. Untimely reporting erodes the review’s effectiveness. At a minimum—
(1) The initial PMR report must be presented to the reviewed activity within 30 calendar days of the Out-brief;
(2) The activity’s Corrective Action Plan (CAP) must be submitted within 30 calendar days of report receipt (60 calendar days after the Out-brief);
(3) The PMR Team’s appointing authority must review and approve the CAP and prepare a Final PMR report within 30 calendar days of CAP receipt (90 calendar days after the Out-brief);
(4) The reviewed activity must complete corrective actions – if any – within 90 calendar days of receipt of the Final PMR report, inform the PMR appointing authority of corrective actions taken, and request closure of the CAP.
CC-405 -- Results of Field Procurement Management Review.
OPARCs shall provide to SAAL-PB copies of all PMR reports and associated analyses of subordinate contracting offices not later than the end of August each year.
[AFARS Revision #23, dated May 16, 2008]