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Defense Commissary Agency

The Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) is committed to assisting personnel, in finding goods at more affordable prices. DeCA operates a network of commissaries offering groceries, household supplies and other products at discounted rates. These cost savings can make a difference in the budgets of military families. To ensure sustainability DeCA operates like a business than solely relying on government funding.

However DeCA sometimes faces challenges in achieving its objectives due to guidance from Congress regarding customer benefits. While striving to meet savings targets for customers DeCA also aims to operate like a business and reduce reliance on appropriations funding. Finding the balance, between these goals can be difficult as tradeoffs and risks need to be considered.

ManTech International Corporation

To support DeCAs information applications ManTech International Corporation has been awarded a $25 million contract. Their expertise will provide support services to enhance DeCAs operations and help fulfill its mission effectively.ManTech has been awarded a GSA IT Schedule 70 contract to provide services, at DeCA headquarters located in Fort Lee, Virginia. These services include program management, software maintenance and integration migration/upgrade services and deployment. This contract allows agencies to award contracts with one year terms that require approval through review.

DeCA operates a commissary network that offers groceries and household supplies at discounted prices compared to stores. Their services cater to forces members, families, retirees, Medal of Honor recipients, veterans and their qualifying dependents. They provide a range of products such as meat, seafood, dairy items, fresh fruits and vegetables sourced from farms bakery items, frozen foods, deli products, as well as electronics, home appliances, clothing, shoes, home decor, health and beauty aids products and automotive and cleaning products.

The Department of Commerce

The Department of Commerce is a branch agency, for collecting economic and demographic data formulating telecom policies overseeing U.S. Exports and facilitating business opportunities abroad for American companies.The Department, headed by a Secretary who holds a position employs around 38,000 staff members. Operates with an annual budget of approximately $6.5 billion.

This department covers a range of policies and matters related to personnel, military retirement, civil military programs POW/MIA issues, Morale, Welfare and Recreation programs, as well, as commissaries and exchanges. It also includes policies and programs concerning Air Force planning and operations such as construction industrial bases, environmental considerations for installations, real property management and family housing options.

The Office of the Convening Authority

The Office of the Convening Authority is responsible for overseeing all aspects of military commissions proceedings. Their responsibilities include convening commissions assigning cases for trial negotiating trial agreements reviewing trial records and determining if defendants have the right to seek clemency.

ManTech International Corporation has been awarded a task order under the GSA IT Schedule 70 contract. Their role is to provide program management, software maintenance and integration application migration/upgrades and deployment services, for the Defense Commissary Agencys information applications.This particular task order holds a value of $25 million consisting of a period of one year and the possibility of extending for four years. ManTech a provider of technologies and solutions, for national security programs caters to a wide range of esteemed customers. These include the Department of Defense, State, Homeland Security and Energy as the intelligence community, Federal Bureau of Investigation aerospace industry, IT industry and energy sector among others.

Benefits – The Defense Commissary Agency offers a global network of grocery stores that provide discounted prices exclusively to military personnel, retirees and their family members. Authorized patrons are able to shop tax free with a 5 percent surcharge applied to cover expenses related to constructing commissaries and maintaining existing ones.

What They Offer

The commissary not only offers priced groceries but also serves as a vital support system for military families. Numerous surveys consistently rank it as one of the pay benefits available to service members and their families. For enlisted families residing in high cost areas the savings provided by the commissary are crucial. Although it relies on appropriations funding for support efforts are being made to enhance efficiency and reduce transactions in order to decrease dependence on such funding.

DeCA is facing the necessity of cost cutting measures through merging with an exchange system in order to reduce expenses. However such initiatives pose risks to its mission. Hinder its ability to provide benefits, to communities.

One proposal suggests that employees transition from their civil service status to appropriated fund status. This transition could potentially result in pay, for employees. A lack of protection against privatization.

Once this proposal is finalized it is important to conduct a study to evaluate its impact on customers. We strongly urge individuals to contact their lawmakers and request that they oppose any efforts to reduce the pay and benefits of DeCA employees.

The European Defense Agency

The European Defense Agency (EDA) offers a framework for all 27 EU Member States to collaborate on defense capability projects. It assists defense ministries in addressing any shortfalls by facilitating procurement and cooperation on areas like equipment, training, exercises and maintenance. Additionally the EDA serves as a connection between stakeholders in EU Member States and other European institutions regarding defense related policies.

The EDA works closely with partners through the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program. This program involves the identification of countries and organizations to receive U.S. Defense articles and services through FMS. Each program requires technology release reviews, determinations, retransfer assurances, congressional reviews (if applicable) and pricing negotiations similar, to purchases.