Overview
“We provide new frontline capabilities for Coast Guard men and women. Mission execution begins here.”
—Rear Admiral John H. Korn, Assistant Commandant for Acquisition (CG-9)
Who We Are
The Acquisition Directorate is responsible for the Coast Guard’s approximately $30 billion recapitalization investment portfolio which includes approximately 20 major acquisition programs and projects. Acquiring new assets and upgrading legacy platforms, mission systems and facilities are fundamental aspects of the process of recapitalization, which replaces obsolete and costly-to-maintain assets in order to achieve sustainable readiness in the field. These investments help ensure readiness by delivering (within cost and on schedule) the cutters; small boats; aircraft; and electronic command, control, communication, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (C4ISR) systems that meet specified performance requirements.
CG-9 Strategic Plan (Blueprint for Continuous Improvement)
Version 5.0 of the Blueprint for Continuous Improvement emphasizes performance measurement in advancing all aspects of the Coast Guard's acquisition and contracting business processes, human capital management, knowledge and information stewardship functions. This plan purposefully sets the bar high, urging the Coast Guard’s acquisition organization to achieve even better performance and even better service to stakeholders, especially the men and women in the field who depend on the assets the directorate delivers.
Tied directly to the Blueprint’s performance measures, the Action Plan provided in the document’s Appendix includes separate tasks grouped under the responsibility of offices that are designated as Performance Measure Managers. The Performance Measure Managers are responsible for assembling Integrated Project Teams (IPTs), as necessary, to accomplish the plan’s tasks.
Previous editions of the Blueprint have guided the Coast Guard’s acquisition improvement efforts. The new edition of the plan continues this momentum over the next two years. The next edition of the plan will be published in March 2012.
Acquisition Directorate Organization
The Acquisition Directorate has three functional divisions—Head of Contracting Activity/Director of Contracting and Procurement (CG-91); Director of Acquisition Services (CG-92); and Program Executive Officer/Director of Acquisition Programs (CG-93).
CG-91 Head of Contract Activity
CG-91’s role as the Head of Contracting Activity (HCA) and Director of Contracting and Procurement reaches far beyond the boundaries of CG-9 and Coast Guard headquarters. This executive is responsible for planning, directing, coordinating and controlling all aspects of procurement policy and operational contracting programs throughout the Coast Guard. The HCA manages all of the Coast Guard’s acquisition contracts and other procurements, as well as provides direct contract support for CG-93’s acquisition program managers. The HCA also ensures Coast Guard compliance with federal contract law and regulations.
Like acquisition program management, contracting follows a detailed and disciplined process. Prior to acquisition contract award, contracting officers and program managers (PMs) work together to conduct market research, acquisition planning, industry interaction, and cost and price analyses. These efforts help ensure that Coast Guard contracts reflect sound business principles, appropriately manage risks and are effectively administered to deliver best value for the taxpayers. Once an award has been made, Coast Guard contracting officers and their technical representatives monitor contractor performance, identify risks, and take action to remedy challenges to the successful completion, delivery and acceptance of new assets.
CG-92 Director of Acquisition Services
CG-92, the Director of Acquisition Services, is responsible for supporting all aspects of the acquisition enterprise—including new program starts, cost estimation, risk assessment and management, financial management, corporate outreach, and acquisition workforce training and certification. CG-92 also provides acquisition resource management, strategic planning and communication support, and oversees the Research, Development Test & Evaluation Program and the Foreign Military Sales Program.
CG-93 Program Executive Officer
CG-93, the Program Executive Officer and Director of Acquisition Programs, provides certified acquisition management of the Coast Guard’s Level 1 (totaling more than $1 billion in lifecycle cost) and Level 2 (totaling between $300 million and $1 billion in lifecycle cost) investment programs, which deliver the service’s next-generation aviation, surface and C4IT assets.
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