keeping smaller consumable parts on hand at the retail or shop level, RLSC can immediately apply parts and complete the work order within hours instead of days or weeks.
Te third benefit is the time saved by eliminating the need to change the robot’s configuration. Arm assemblies are high-dollar, serialized components. If the arm assembly is to be removed, additional logistics automation transactions are necessary to adjust the robot’s configuration within the logistics automa- tion database.
Finally, the fourth benefit is eliminating the need to send the work to a facility with the capabilities to replace major hardware assemblies on the robotic system. RLSC has skilled technicians at both the main depot and 13 locations inside and outside of the United States, all of which are capable of performing field- level and depot-level repairs.
THE BENEFITS OF SEED STOCK RLSC also recovers legacy systems when new robotic systems are fielded to military units, and these older variants later serve as seed stock for future projects. Tis seed-stock method has been applied to two recent recapitalization and modification efforts.
Te first is a recapitalization of explosive ordnance disposal robots that will serve as a bridging solution until the program of record reaches the materiel release phase and begins fielding the replace- ment system. Te second effort is a modification of an existing platform that detects chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and high-yield explosives. Te modification will provide addi- tional capabilities of area mapping and sensor feedback from the robot to the operator’s position. For the second effort, the base chassis of the robot was upgraded to accommodate the installa- tion of additional payloads to provide the increased capability and enhanced performance. A new procurement of this asset would typically cost approximately $315,000 per robot. However, by reusing the base chassis of a seed stock asset, the cost was reduced to $287,000.
CONTRACTOR LOGISTICS SUPPORT Key to the RLSC sustainment model is government-led contrac- tor logistics support. When acquisition professionals think of contractor logistics support, there is a perception that this means program-owned robots or that those on military unit property books are evacuated from the program manager shop or from the field to a separate contractor organization for maintenance and sustainment activities. As part of this evacuation process, there is a complicated logistics tail of having to perform multiple
government-furnished property transfers to establish a chain of custody as robots are shipped to and received from the contractor. Instead, RLSC embeds contractors into the government main- tenance induction process and employs a logistics automation database that makes additional transfer of government-furnished property unnecessary. RLSC contractors are as organic to the mixed-manpower staff as the government civilian employees, ensuring a cooperative relationship between contractors and government representatives that has lasted more than a decade with an exceptionally high degree of success.
CONCLUSION RLSC will continue to employ its contracting and sustainment approach across its operations, including several upcoming impor- tant efforts:
• An FY19 recapitalization production kit purchase for explosive ordnance disposal robots.
• Semiannual sustainment parts purchases for several robotic platforms.
• Numerous foreign military sales cases for robots, parts and training.
Te flexibility and experience that have grown within the orga- nization, accompanied by the agility and efficiency found in the execution of IDIQ contracts and RLSC’s smaintenance approach, allow RLSC to provide the highest level of sustainment support for its worldwide customer base and user communities, ensuring the safety and lethality of today’s warfighters.
For more information, contact Tom Lettis, RLSC direc- tor, at
thomas.a.lettis.civ@
mail.mil, or
go to http://
www.peocscss.army.mil/ or
http://www.peocscss.army.mil/ pmfp.html.
THOMAS A. LETTIS is director of RLSC, a position he has held since October 2016. Lettis entered civil service in 2005 after serv- ing 21 years in the Army and retiring as a command sergeant major. He holds an M.A. in program management and a B.S. in business administration from Excelsior College. He is a member of the Army Acquisition Corps and is Level III certified in program management and life cycle logistics.
ADAM BENNETT is a product support integrator in RLSC. An 11-year Army veteran, he has worked in defense robot- ics for a decade. He holds a B.S. in criminal justice from Ferris State University.
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