Government support to deployed contractors

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1. Protective equipment

Section 158.5 of title 32 of the Code of Federal Regulations sets out the government support that may be authorized for contractor personnel abroad, although contractors generally provide their own. When necessary or directed by the combatant commander, the contracting officer includes contract language authorizing issue of military individual protective equipment as authorized government support (32 CFR 158.5(g)(2)). Examples are chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear protective ensembles, body armor and ballistic helmets. The equipment is typically issued by the central issue facility at the deployment center before deployment (32 CFR 158.5(g)(2)(i)). It must be accounted for and returned to the government, or otherwise accounted for, under Defense component rules.

Deployment training covers the proper care, fitting and maintenance of protective equipment, whether the government issues it or the contractor provides it under the contract (32 CFR 158.5(g)(2)(ii)). The training includes practical exercises at mission-oriented protective posture levels. When a contract requires the contractor to provide the equipment, it must meet the minimum standards the contract defines (32 CFR 158.5(g)(2)(iii)).

2. Clothing and uniforms

Contractors or their personnel must provide their own personal clothing, including casual and work clothing needed to perform (32 CFR 158.5(g)(3)). Combatant commanders generally will not authorize issue of military clothing to contractor personnel, or allow military or look-alike uniforms (32 CFR 158.5(g)(3)(i)). Contractor personnel may not wear military clothing unless the combatant commander specifically authorizes it in writing. A combatant commander or forward-deployed subordinate joint force commander may authorize standard uniform items for operational reasons. Contracts must require that this authorization be in writing and that the uniforms stay in the possession of authorized personnel at all times.

When commanders issue standard uniform items, contractor personnel must remain distinguishable from military personnel through distinctive patches, arm bands, nametags or headgear (32 CFR 158.5(g)(3)(ii)). Those measures must be consistent with force protection. Contractor personnel must carry the combatant commander’s written authorization with them at all times.

3. Mortuary affairs

The Defense Mortuary Affairs Program covers all contractors authorized to accompany the force (CAAF) who die while performing contract work supporting the armed forces (32 CFR 158.5(g)(5)). Mortuary affairs support and transportation for the recovery, identification and disposition of remains and personal effects of CAAF are provided on a reimbursable basis. Every effort must be made to identify remains and account for unrecovered remains of contractor personnel and dependents who die in military operations, training accidents and other incidents (32 CFR 158.5(g)(5)(i)). The remains of contractor personnel who die in an incident supporting military operations receive the same dignity and respect as those of service members.

For personnel who are not CAAF, the Department may provide mortuary support and transportation on a reimbursable basis at the request of the Department of State (32 CFR 158.5(g)(5)(ii)). That support follows the rule, host nation agreements and contract provisions. The Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness coordinates it with the State Department, including reimbursement. The geographic combatant commander coordinates transfer of non-CAAF remains to the host or affected nation with the State Department (32 CFR 158.5(g)(5)(iii)). That coordination runs through embassies, the International Committee of the Red Cross or the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, as appropriate.

4. Medical care and its cost

Generally, the Department provides only resuscitative care, stabilization and hospitalization at military medical treatment facilities (32 CFR 158.5(g)(6)). It also helps with patient movement in emergencies where loss of life, limb or eyesight could occur. The Foreign Clearance Guide and the geographic combatant command web pages contain theater-specific contract language on available healthcare. In austere, uncertain or hostile environments, CAAF may be unable to find adequate medical support locally.

All costs of treating and transporting contractor personnel to a selected civilian facility are reimbursable to the government (32 CFR 158.5(g)(6)(i)). They are the responsibility of the personnel, their employers or their health insurers. The rule adds that nothing in that paragraph is intended to affect the allowability of costs under a contract.

All CAAF will normally receive emergency medical and dental care if injured while supporting applicable operations (32 CFR 158.5(g)(6)(ii)(A)). Non-CAAF injured near the armed forces while supporting operations also normally receive it. Emergency care covers situations where life, limb or eyesight is in danger. The rule’s examples are examination and initial treatment of sexual assault victims, refills of life-dependent prescriptions, repair of broken bones, lacerations and infections, and traumatic injuries to the teeth.

5. Primary care, long-term care and evacuation

Military treatment facilities normally will not provide primary medical or dental care to CAAF (32 CFR 158.5(g)(6)(ii)(B)). When the combatant commander or subordinate joint force commander requires and authorizes it, the contract and the letter of authorization must specifically say so. Primary care is not authorized for non-CAAF. It includes routine inpatient and outpatient services, non-emergency evacuation, pharmaceutical support other than emergency life-dependent refills, non-emergency dental services, and other medical support the combatant commander or joint force commander determines.

The Department will not provide long-term care to contractor personnel (32 CFR 158.5(g)(6)(ii)(C)). The combatant commander or a subordinate commander may quarantine contractor personnel or restrict their movement (32 CFR 158.5(g)(6)(ii)(D)). When CAAF are evacuated for medical reasons to facilities funded by the Defense Health Program, normal reimbursement policies apply (32 CFR 158.5(g)(6)(ii)(E)). If CAAF need evacuation outside the United States, the sending facility helps arrange transfer to a civilian facility of their choice. Local national contractor personnel given emergency care use host nation transport, where possible, to reach their local medical systems.

6. Postal, morale and other support

48 CFR subpart 225.3 lists types of support that may be authorized for contractor personnel deployed with, or otherwise supporting, applicable operations (32 CFR 158.5(g)(7)). They may include transportation to and within the operational area, mess operations, quarters, phone service, religious support and laundry. Personnel of American-owned contractors supporting Defense activities may be authorized to use the military postal service (32 CFR 158.5(g)(7)(i)). The contract sets the extent of postal support, and the combatant commander or representative and the Military Department must review and approve those provisions before the contract is signed.

Morale, welfare and recreation services and exchange services are authorized for American citizen contractor personnel supporting Defense activities outside the United States (32 CFR 158.5(g)(7)(ii)). How the contract sets the level of support is covered in what the contract can and cannot do abroad.

Key terms

Individual protective equipment	Items such as protective ensembles, body armor and helmets, issued when authorized.
Emergency care	Care where life, limb or eyesight is in danger.
Primary care	Routine and non-emergency care, normally not provided, and not authorized for non-CAAF.
Reimbursable support	Support whose cost the government recovers, such as civilian treatment and mortuary transport.
Written uniform authorization	The combatant commander’s authorization, carried at all times, to wear uniform items.

Every statement above links to the document behind it. The full source list for this piece is on the sources page.

This page describes public United States government programs for general information. It is not legal, regulatory or procurement advice, and it does not address the facts of any particular case.

How Sentfore supports this

Where government support stops, contracted life support and medical arrangements carry the load. Sentfore works at the delivery end of defense programs in difficult environments, providing secure movement, protective security, facilities and life support. Requirements can be sent through the contact page.