The Contingency Contracting Support training team met with six members of the Djiboutian Chamber of Commerce in Djibouti, May 4, 2010, for a training session that focused on assessing and utilizing the Navy's Electronic Commerce Solicitation Website, European Navy Electronic Commerce Online (EURONECO).

A critical aspect in Contingency Contracting (CCO) support is finding adequate supply and service vendors in any forward deployed operating environment. This is a challenge for the Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa Contingency Contracting Office, as it continually seeks qualified and responsive sources in order to provide mission critical support to units in an area of responsibility consisting of 16 countries in East Africa.

To help maximize opportunities for vendor base identification and development process, the CCO has partnered with the Djiboutian Chamber of Commerce (DCC) to implement a "Train the Trainers" test bed strategy. "The idea is to leverage the DCC's internal expertise and knowledge of its customers, economy and supply base," said CCO Commander, Captain Gregory Johnson. "This will allow them to reach out to their people and provide them with the initial means of doing business with the U.S. government."

Sergeant 1st Class Igor Paustovski provided introductory training that included vendor online registration, searching for contract solicitations, and submitting a response for solicitation. He also assisted one of the trainers in registering to the website.

"This initial step will help influence the ability of the Djiboutians to contribute to the long-term success of enabling their own vendors to open the door and potentially conduct business with the U.S. Navy and CTJF-HOA," said Commander Yvonne Bryson. The lessons learned from this will aid the CCO on determining the best way to engage with other Chambers of Commerce within its area of responsbility. Follow-on training opportunities will be communicated and coordinated with DCC leadership.