Need for qualified contracting officers in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) modernization program

Abstract

The purpose of this thesis is to determine the need for qualified Contracting Officers in the execution and administration of contracts formulated under the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Modernization Program. This 15-year Program is mandated by Republic Act (RA) 7898, otherwise known as the AFP Modernization Act. This law is implemented through Department of National Defense Circular (DC) No. 1 dated 06 March 2000 (replacing DC 29 dated 19 May 1996). The Circular provided adequate guidance for the conduct of major system contracting, but barely touched on the process of contract execution and administration by Contracting Officers, except for assigning this function to the Major Services under the supervision of the Chief of Staff, AFP (CSAFP). It assumes that the parties involved would infer the process of contract administration from the terms and conditions of the contract itself. Contract administration, as handled by qualified Contracting Officers, is a vital process in government acquisitions. It ensures the successful completion of the contract according to the satisfaction of the parties involved. Without this system in place, the AFP risks failure in its Modernization Program (AFPMP). This thesis ascertains the need for qualified Contracting Officers to handle the complex contracts that are sure to come out of the AFPMP. It evaluates the existing contract execution and administration structure in the AFP vis-aÌ -vis existing guidelines to establish the need for βContracting Officerγ positions. Once established, the thesis expounds on the envisioned role of Contracting Officers as they handle the various contracting activities in the AFPMP. It also recommends the associated career paths, education, training and certification programs needed to establish the said position.