What is a major challenge faced by contractors in austere environments supporting OCS?

In austere environments, contractors face significant challenges, primarily due to limited infrastructure and security risks. These settings often lack the necessary facilities, transportation, and logistical support that are typically available in more stable conditions. This scarcity makes it difficult for contractors to establish their operations, deliver goods and services, and maintain consistent communication and support lines.

Security risks in austere environments further complicate operations. Contractors may deal with threats from hostile forces, which necessitates robust security measures and can lead to increased operational costs. These challenges can hinder the contractor's ability to effectively execute contracts and ensure mission success, requiring them to adapt and innovate under difficult circumstances.

In contrast, factors like abundant resources and infrastructure or high-level government support are not characteristic of austere environments, making them less relevant to the challenges contractors face. The availability of increased funding does not mitigate the fundamental issues related to infrastructure and security in these operational contexts.