Naval Supply Systems command (NAVSUP) Fleet Logistics Center (FLC) Puget Sound conducted a test of new off-ship bill pay (OSBP) procedures while supporting a port visit for three Navy ships participating in Seattle Seafair Fleet Week, July 29 - Aug. 3.

OSBP is a new process for procuring husbanding supplies and services such as tugs, crane services, brows, fresh provisions and potable water, during port visits. Under the OSBP program, NAVSUP FLC Puget Sound assumes all of the administrative tasks involved in ordering and paying for husbanding services for ships visiting ports throughout the Pacific Northwest region, freeing up the unit commanders from those responsibilities.

"OSBP procedures for ship husbanding services are in a testing phase right now, but the plan is to 'go live' with full implementation in October," said Cmdr. Glenn Wright, NAVSUP FLC Puget Sound director of contracting.

According to Capt. Tim Jett, NAVSUP FLC Puget Sound commanding officer, the new procedures will help ensure husbanding service requests are coordinated as easily and efficiently as possible.

"This new way of doing business requires strong coordination and provides additional oversight and standardization to our process. OSBP also injects some checks and balances into the procurement and payment process," the captain added. "It gives commanders assurance they are properly procuring and paying for goods and services. It's the right thing for our Navy and for the taxpayers.

With OSBP, once the transactions are completed and invoices are validated against the initial contract by the vendor, ship, and NAVSUP FLC contracting officer's representative (COR), the vendor submits the final invoices into an internet-based program called iRAPT (inventory, receipt, acceptance, and property transfer).

Once the COR reviews and accepts the invoices, they are sent to the local processing office for final certification and then forwarded to the Defense Finance and Accounting Service for electronic payment.

NAVSUP FLC Puget Sound, one of eight fleet logistics centers under NAVSUP Global Logistics Support (GLS), provides operational logistics, business and support services to Navy, Coast Guard, Military Sealift Command, and other joint and allied forces. Products and services include contracting, fuels, global logistics, hazardous material management, household goods, integrated logistics support, material management, postal, regional transportation and warehousing.

NAVSUP GLS provides global logistics for a global Navy. The organization is made up of more than 6,500 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 news and information about NAVSUP FLC Puget Sound, visit www.navsup.navy.mil/navsup/ourteam/navsupgls/navsupflcps .

For more news from Naval Supply Systems Command, visit www.navy.mil/.