Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) Fleet Logistics Center (FLC) Jacksonville played a key role in preparing Marines to execute humanitarian missions in response to Hurricane Matthew, Oct. 9.

NAVSUP FLC Jacksonville facilitated the contracting support which enabled U.S. Marine Forces South (USMARFORSOUTH) to procure logistics and life-support services via the Caribbean Contingency indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contracts -- all this, within a span of mere days.

How did they do it on such short notice? A brief timeline follows:

On Sept. 25, tropical disturbance system Matthew was upgraded from a tropical storm to a hurricane, prompting storm preparations in areas that might be in the path of destruction.

NAVSUP FLC Jacksonville was already watching the storm's track in anticipation that contracting support of humanitarian relief efforts might be needed.

On Oct. 3, NAVSUP FLC Jacksonville's husbanding/expeditionary contracting team was contacted by the director of logistics at U.S. Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM) about possible use of NAVSUP FLC Jacksonville's Caribbean Contingency IDIQ contracts. If humanitarian relief was needed, the IDIQ was thought to be able to provide almost immediate support services for first responders sent in by USSOUTHCOM.

MARFORSOUTH was assigned as the lead contracting agency for Joint Task Force-Matthew. On Oct. 6, as Hurricane Matthew headed toward the coast of Florida, MARFORSOUTH requested NAVSUP FLC Jacksonville's assistance to procure logistics and life-support services for the Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force via the Caribbean Contingency IDIQ.

Over the next three days, NAVSUP FLC Jacksonville's husbanding/expeditionary contracting team coordinated with Marines and contractors to ensure all questions were answered, all concerns were met, and all requirements were identified. This proved to be a difficult task as the Navy/Marine Corps assets involved, along with most of the contractors, were also affected by the storm which had ravaged Haiti.

A task order was awarded Oct. 9 by Bill Jordan, a husbanding/expeditionary contracting officer for NAVSUP FLC Jacksonville. Contract support began on the ground for 380 Marines in Haiti the following morning. The contract support provided vital services such as vehicles, drivers, ice, and comfort stations, and enabled Marines to focus on providing Haitians with humanitarian aid.

"Contract vehicles, such as IDIQs, make rapidly responding to a crisis possible," said Jordan. "Traditional contracting support could have taken up to 30 days, vice the rapid turnaround of support in just three days."

The IDIQ task order is in place until Oct. 24, allowing MARFORSOUTH time to redeploy assets until their unique capabilities are no longer requested. Amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7), homeported in Mayport, Florida, will continue to stand ready to support humanitarian assistance/disaster relief requirements in the wake of Hurricane Matthew.

NAVSUP FLC Jacksonville, one of eight fleet logistics centers under NAVSUP Global Logistics Support (GLS), provides operational logistics, business and support services to fleet, shore and industrial commands of the Navy, Coast Guard, Military Sealift Command, and other joint and allied forces. Services include contracting, regional transportation, fuel, material management, household goods movement support, postal and consolidated mail, warehousing, global logistics and husbanding, hazardous material management, and integrated logistics support.

NAVSUP GLS provides global logistics for a global Navy. The organization is made up of approximately 6,300 military and civilian logistics professionals operating from 105 locations worldwide, providing an extensive array of integrated global logistics and contracting services to Navy, Marine Corps, joint operational units, and allied forces across all warfare enterprises.

For more information, visit www.navy.mil, www.facebook.com/usnavy, or www.twitter.com/usnavy.

For more information on Naval Supply Systems Command Global Logistics Support, visit http://www.navsup.navy.mil/navsup/ourteam/navsupgls/news/ or http://www.facebook.com/navsupgls/.