Joint Contracting Command-Iraq/Afghanistan Iraqi American Chamber of Commerce & Industry Iraqi Gathering Special Event 2009 5-7 May 2009
Amman, Jordan Holiday Inn
Joint Contracting Command-Iraq/Afghanistan (JCC-I/A) expresses its gratitude and honor in continuing its association with the Iraqi American Chamber of Commerce and Industry and participating in Iraqi Gathering Special Event 2009 in Amman Jordan.
JCC-I/A supports Coalition Forces and United States interests in both Iraq and Afghanistan; supports reconstruction and rebuilding efforts to provide both security and essential services; and supports economic development initiatives to serve Iraqi and Afghan citizens. The focus of the Iraq International Fair and the Iraqi Gathering Special Event is on the third support effort mentioned, which is economic development initiatives.
JCC-I/A plays an important part in supporting the Joint Campaign Plan’s goal to support the development of a prosperous and stable Iraq that is integrated in the world economy. As the U.S. military presence and United States Government assistance gradually decreases, the focus of economic efforts will be to promote and encourage the Government of Iraq to invest in its people through education, training and employment. Making progress in key government and business sectors, and laying a strong foundation for long-term economic stability remains a key tenet of the efforts ongoing throughout the country.
One of JCC-I/A’s primary focus areas is the encouragement and empowerment of local Iraqi business development. Through the Iraqi First Program and the Women-Owned Business Initiative, JCC-I/A aims to assist Iraqi citizens revive their business community and increase opportunities for economic development and employment growth. The Iraqi First Program has three primary goals: (1) assist Iraq in its transition to a stable, self-sustaining economy; (2) employ Iraqi companies and citizens, and (3) assist in the business and economic reconstruction of Iraq.
Heading up the Iraqi First Program for JCC-I/A is Lieutenant Colonel Sandra Rodriguez-Brown. She guides the Business Development & Outreach Program (BDOP) and is assisted by twelve Business Development Consultants (BDCs) located throughout Iraq. The twelve Business Development Consultants provide Host Nation Business training and employer data base registration. The BDCs serve as a communication conduit between the Regional Contracting Centers and the local business communities. They are advisors and successful business professionals, speak Arabic, and understand the culture. BDCs are a vital part of JCC-I/A’s effort to accomplish the goals stated above.
Fiscal Year (FY) 2008 highlights: - Over 14,000 contracting actions valued over $2B (USD) were awarded to Iraqi companies. - These contracts included commodities, construction, and services directly supporting Coalition Forces. - 56% of U.S. Government contracts awarded in Iraq went to Iraqi companies. - 4% of all contracting actions were awarded to Iraqi Women-Owned Businesses (IWOBs) and were valued at over $187M (USD). - Iraqi companies were awarded over 2,000 contracting actions valued over $1B (USD) in FY08 to equip Iraqi Security Forces and the Iraqi Army. These contracts include life-support services, facilities such as barracks, classrooms and training ranges, uniforms, and personal equipment items. Iraqi First companies also participated in construction of Iraqi and Joint Security Forces Operating Bases.
Today, JCC-I/A has over 4,000 registered Iraqi companies in its vendor database including 1,800 Iraqi Women-Owned Businesses. JCC-I/A continues its efforts to increase the number of Iraqi companies doing business with the United States Government through the Business Development and Outreach Program.
JCC-I/A and its Iraqi business partners endeavor to grow on the success of the Iraqi First Program and Women-Owned Business initiative. The federal government of the United States, the Coalition Forces, and the Government of Iraq are committed to improving Iraq’s economic development and creating a business environment based on sound fundamentals and an ingrained sense of ethics. Through continued use of the various methods to relay information, express ideas and resolve conflicts, the accomplishments achieved to date will carry forward into the near and long-term growth of the Iraqi economy.
Iraqi first initiative, working well with new commitment from the new commanding general Baghdad March 28th, JCCI HQ: Iraqi American Chamber of Commerce and Industry "IACCI" conducted an Interview Brigadier General William N. Phillips, United States Army and head of Joint Contracting Command Iraq/Afghanistan Q: Please give us an overview of Iraqi First Initiative? A: Joint Contracting Command-Iraq/Afghanistan supports the Joint Campaign Plan in development of a prosperous and stable Iraq that is integrated into the world economy. The Iraqi First Program supports the campaign plan by providing increased opportunities for economic expansion, entrepreneurship, and skills training. Q: How does it work? A: Through granted legislative authorities, JCC-I/A develops the capacity of the Iraqi economy thru greater utilization of Iraqi vendors in fulfilling coalition requirements for services, commodities and construction Q: Is it effective? A: Yes … both JCC-I/A and the Coalition Forces believe the Iraqi First Program has been a tremendous success Q: What are the results so far, numbers possibly some chart or excel? A: From 2006 through 2008, over 32,000 contract actions totaling over $6.4B (USD) were executed through the Iraqi First Program Q: With force draw down, what will the impact be on IF? A: The goal of the Iraqi First Program will not change during the Responsible Withdrawal of Coalition Forces. JCC-I/A will continue to seek opportunities to utilize Iraqi vendors in fulfilling requirements Q: Is there coordination between KBR and other suppliers to US forces and IF and JCCI, I understand there is some incentive for suppliers to push IF? A: I cannot speak to KBR or incentives, but I can say that Section 886 of the Fiscal Year 2008 National Defense Authorization Act provides authority for the Department of Defense to limit competition when acquiring products or services in support of military operations or stability operations in Iraq under certain circumstances. Section 886 authorizes DoD to limit competition to products or services from Iraq and restrict an acquisition to a particular source or sources from Iraq providing a preference for products or services from Iraq. Q: Unfortunately US dollars spent in Iraq are shrinking and GOI’s ability to pick up the slack is limited, at least what we hear from our members that business all but vanished with JCCI and GRD, can you elaborate? A: Our efforts through our Host Nation business programs are continuing and have resulted in over 2,500 contract actions totaling $203.9M (USD) during the first five months of the current Fiscal Year Q: Any other thoughts or ideas that you would like to share with our readers? A: The Coalition Forces and the U.S. Government remain committed to improving Iraq’s economic development and creating a business environment based on sound fundamentals and an ingrained sense of ethics. Through continued use of the various methods to relay information, express ideas and resolve conflicts, the accomplishments achieved to date will carry forward into the near and long-term growth of the Iraqi economy.
JCCI participate in Iraqi gathering Iraqi American Chamber of Commerce and Industry "IACCI" announces the participation of JCCI in Iraqi gathering, Amman, May 5th, please join us to welcome them and make sure that you drop by and say hi and ask questions: Lieutenant Colonel Sandra Rodriguez-Brown, is the Director of Business Development & Outreach, Joint Contracting Command-Iraq/Afghanistan. She is responsible for recruiting, educating, and training prospective and established Iraqi companies, academia, and professionals on how to compete for contracts with the U.S. Government. She was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant through the Reserve Officer Training Corps, on 10 Jan 1983, entering active duty at Fort McClellan, Alabama. LTC Rodriguez-Brown diverse military background has provided her the ability to serve with the U.S. State Department, Military Police, Civil Affairs, Transportation, Logistics, and Contracting military organizations. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from Texas Tech University and a Master of Business Administration degree in Business and Management from Touro University International. She is a graduate of the Command and General Staff College and Defense Acquisition University. LTC Rodriguez-Brown has received numerous military awards during her career with the military. Major Jill M. Boese was born in London, England and grew up in Connecticut. She graduated from the University of Iowa in 1999 with a degree in International Relations and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant through the Reserve Officer Training Corps. She graduated flight school at Naval Air Station Pensacola and was winged as a Weapons Systems Officer in 2000. After cross training into the Contracting career field, Major Boese went onto work on base level contracting as well as the Global Hawk Unmanned Aerial Vehicle program. She completed Squadron Officer School at Maxwell AFB, AL in 2005 and received her Masters degree in Management in 2007. Major Boese has twice deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (2004, 2006) and is presently deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (2009). She has been stationed in Florida, Texas, California, Incirlik AB Turkey and her current assignment, as Deputy of the Contracting-Comptroller test squadron at Malmstrom AFB, Montana. Major Boese’s personal awards include two Joint Service Commendation Medals, one Air Force Commendation Medal and one Army Commendation Medal. Mustafa Salman is a Business Development Consultant, for Joint Contracting Command-Iraq/Afghanistan, where he works on special projects to include Women Owned Businesses, and assists in developing special programs and policies. He was born in Baghdad in 1965, travelled to the UK in 1983 to complete his studies, where he read architecture and qualified as a chartered architect and a member of the Royal Institute for British Architects. Mustafa worked for Nicholas Grimshaw & Partners in London as a designer for the Eden Project. He represented the UK at the International Biennale Exhibition for Architecture in Italy. In 1997, he worked as a project manager on the design and build project of the second largest Tetra-Pak factory in Eastern Europe. Highlights of JCCI accomplishments: Iraqi First and Women-Owned Business FY08 highlights Over 14,000 contracting actions valued over $2B (USD) were awarded to Iraqi companies Contracts included commodities, construction, and services directly supporting Coalition Forces 56% of USG contracts awarded in Iraq went to Iraqi companies 4% of all contracting actions were awarded to Iraqi Women-Owned Businesses valued at over $187M (USD) Iraqi companies were awarded over 2,000 contracting actions valued over $1B (USD) in FY08 to equip Iraqi Security Forces and the Iraqi Army • Contracts include life-support services, facilities such as barracks, classrooms and training ranges, uniforms, and personal equipment items. • Iraqi First companies also participated in construction of Iraqi and Joint Security Forces Operating Bases
Joint Contracting Command "Iraq/Afghanistan"
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