Accrediting DoD contract technical representatives in Italy: without reinventing the wheel

Defense AT&L, March-April, 2005 by Michael J. McCormick

... And in with the New

In 2003, USSSO proposed new procedures for the TR process. The staff judge advocate from the Army's Southern European Task Force (Airborne) suggested that DOCPER's experience in Germany might be useful. USSSO, DOCPER, and the Service Component Headquarters spent the next year developing the new process. On July 12, 2004, the Civilian Personnel Accreditation Procedures for Italy were published as an annex to the February 2004 edition of the Tri-Component Regulation for Italy. The new procedures have resulted in a reinvigorated screening process and a more orderly accreditation program.

One of the biggest changes is the use of computer automation. The DOCPER Italy Operations Web site <http://www.per.hqusareur.army.mil/cpd/docper/> walks the TR applicant and COR through the process. The first step is to download the TR Application Form from the forms page. DOCPER's database contains information on current contracts and companies doing business in Italy. If the TR applicant's company, contract, task order, and position are already listed in the form, then the TR applicant fills out the form and forwards it to the COR for transmittal to DOCPER. If the company, contract, task order, and position information are not listed, the COR downloads and completes the Contract Registration form, then forwards it to DOCPER, who updates the database.

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DOCPER screens the information submitted based on guidance found in the Civilian Personnel Accreditation Procedures for Italy; legal questions are referred to USSSO. DOCPER makes two determinations: whether the position to be used in contract performance meets the definition of a TR position; and whether the person proposed to fill the position meets all the requirements to be accredited as a TR. For each qualified applicant, DOCPER submits for USSSO signature an accreditation letter addressed to the Italian consulate that has cognizance for the area where the TR applicant resides. By this letter, USSSO certifies to the Italian consulate that the person has been accredited as a TR and should receive a mission visa. Once approved by USSSO, DOCPER sends the signed accreditation letter and a completed Application for Uniformed Services ID Card to the COR, who forwards the documents to the TR. The TR goes to the Italian consulate, receives the mission visa, and travels to Italy. Upon arrival, the TR processes through TR accreditation, receives the ID card, and then processes the mission permit of stay (that allows him or her to remain in Italy) from the local Italian police station.

Benefits of the New Process

Technology has streamlined the accreditation process. Because of databases, pre-printed forms, and e-mail, information can be transferred immediately. Additionally, the database provides, for the first time, a complete record of TRs accredited in Italy. The U.S. forces in Italy manage the TR accreditation unilaterally, and with the new process, they can state with confidence that they carefully screen each TR coming into Italy. The civilian personnel accreditation procedures for Italy have also built into the new system a comprehensive review. This allows DOCPER to establish the baseline database for TRs in Italy.