💎GovCon talent and opportunity connector, Vet/CXO career coach, Exec Search (PTS - President) / (ISOA - Board of Directors)
USG contractors are already working in Ukraine, although on DoS and USAID programs. This article suggests the Administration is looking to lift the ban, but the question is whether DoD is going to start awarding contracts for work in Ukraine. No doubt that increasing the capacity on the Maintenance, Repair, & Overhaul (MRO) will increase the readiness of the donated military equipment sets already on the ground in Ukraine (like the much-touted M1 Abrams, which I know first-hand to be a fickle piece of equipment to maintain). Asking my network...what are you hearing on this. Is this a major shift or just media? https://lnkd.in/eZtJX_Zx #pts #ukrainereadiness #govcon
Thanks Jake. Great points. Unfortunately, Ukraine is losing this war at the current time. Ukraine defense forces have asked ISOA for critical U.S. logistics and supply chain support and urgent repair capabilities so they can begin thwarting Russian advances. U.S. and international contractors must be able to operate freely inside Ukraine. With over 200 contributed weapon and military support systems donated by nations around the free world, they need parts and repair depots inside Ukraine now. This will speed up repairs and return this critical defense equipment to Ukrainian front lines. ISOA has been pushing for this approval for nearly two years now. It needs to happen now or Kyiv, Moldova and Poland will be at risk with the next stage of Russian aggression into Europe.
I don't know about current discussions, but it's long past time for the DoD to award contracts for work inside Ukraine. The benefits far outweigh the risks. Kyiv is not Kabul or Baghdad....or even Niamey or Nairobi. MRO would be a big help, but that's only one piece of the puzzle. A handful of folks working at key training nodes would help overcome the challenges that stem from the Soviet-era mindset that lingers in the UA military. DoD is missing a huge opportunity to capture lessons learned - again a few folks at key nodes could save considerable blood and treasure down the road. It doesn't need to be a lot of people, but it needs to be the right people -- right experience, right temperament, etc. It doesn't need to be secret squirrel stuff, but we don't need to announce it from the rooftops either...sometimes the right answer IO-wise is what you don't say. Put me in coach!
I wouldn't be suprised if the ban were lifted.
Vice President, Integrated Security & Business Development│Global Security Operations│Proposal Management│Emergency Planning│Risk Mitigation│Physical, Technical, and Information Security│Training
2moWe continue to watch this space closely Jake. SOC has been on the ground in Ukraine for the last two years, positioning ourselves to assist those current and future Ukraine related operations. Yes DoS and USAID have shown some (limited) opportunities but we all know the growing need for DoD and in-country support of its defense related equipment, not to mention the need for mine clearing to open up its vital farmlands. Is a policy shift imminent? Well I hope this CNN news story is an indicator that the policy shift is coming-sooner rather than later. No troops but limited key knowledgeable positions to help with the transfer of knowledge to enable Ukraine to continue to defend its territory.