U.S. Military expanding opportunities for Erbil businesses

Photo By 1st Sgt. Justin A. Naylor | Local businessmen listen to instructions on how to register with the Joint Contracting Command during a conference in Erbil, Iraq, Oct. 27. This was the first conference of its kind held in Erbil, where there are few businesses currently registered with the JCC, which prevents them from being awarded U.S. contracts.  

KIRKUK, IRAQ

10.30.2009

Story by Spc. Justin A. Naylor 

2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs

FORWARD OPERATING BASE WARRIOR, KIRKUK, Iraq— Approximately 70 businessmen from around Erbil, Iraq, took part in a conference there to learn how to become contractors for the United States Military, Oct. 26.

This conference was intended as an opportunity to introduce business to the process of becoming contractors through the U.S. Military's Joint Contracting Command.

"The JCC writes contracts for supplies, services and minor construction to fill a combatant commander's requirements," said Maj. Jarrett Moffitt, a Gilbert, Ariz., native and a chief contractor for the Regional Contracting Center in Kirkuk, Iraq.

In order to be awarded contracts from the U.S. Army, local business must go through the JCC.

"[They] can't be awarded a contract without being registered with the JCC," Moffitt said about local businesses.

The registration event in Erbil was unique because it was the first of its kind in the city.

There are currently very few businesses in Erbil that are registered with the JCC, explained Maj. Kimberly Bennett, a Killeen, Texas, native assigned to the 2nd Special Troops Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division.

According to Bennett, businesses in Erbil had to travel to either Mosul or Kirkuk to attend a registration conference such as this one.

The goal of this conference was to educate local contractors on how to enter into a contract with the U.S. Government, which in turn helps to build local economies, explained Moffitt.

Once registered, businesses in Erbil can bid on U.S. contracts anywhere in Iraq.

"Business partnerships are critical for construction and services required by U.S. Forces," said Moffitt. "The U.S. Army doesn't necessarily have the internal resources to handle the capacity of contract requirements we need."

For one businessman who is already a contractor for the U.S. Army, the benefit of registering with the JCC is obvious.

By registering with the JCC, you are able to log on to its website and see all the contracts that can currently be bid on, said one of the co-owners of the Citadel Strategic Communications, Karso Awat Mahmood.

It is very necessary for a business that wants to work with the U.S. to register with the JCC, explained Karso.

According to Karso, by registering with the JCC, local business can find projects in their area and submit bids on them, and they can also bid on U.S. contracts throughout Iraq. "I am registered in Kirkuk, but if there is a contract in Basra or Baghdad, I can bid on it."

There are currently some 550 individuals registered with the JCC in the Kirkuk area, and registration conferences are held there every month allowing businessmen from surrounding provinces to come and learn how to register.

Although this conference gave the business the knowledge they need to register, they will still need to go to https://www.jccs.gov to do so.

"This supports the local community by making sure there is an opportunity for local residents to bid on a contract," said Bennett. Having businesses registered here will help bring extra money into this community by allowing these businesses to bid on—and hopefully receive—contracts.

• Date Taken: 10.30.2009
• Date Posted: 10.30.2009 10:57
• Story ID: 40856
• Location: KIRKUK, IQ