Why do Field Ordering Officers (FOO) conduct their procurement from local sources?

Field Ordering Officers (FOOs) conduct procurement from local sources primarily because normal supply channels are unavailable. In operational environments, particularly in areas affected by conflict or disaster, traditional supply chains may be disrupted or not fully operational. This disruption can be due to various factors such as damaged infrastructure, limited access to supply routes, or heightened security risks. Therefore, relying on local sources allows FOOs to acquire essential goods and services quickly and effectively, ensuring that operational needs are met without the delays that might occur if they attempted to utilize standard supply channels.

While reducing transportation costs and supporting local economies are also important factors to consider, the immediate necessity of fulfilling procurement needs in environments where traditional supply lines are obstructed is the primary reason for the practice. Standard operating procedures may guide the processes and decisions of FOOs, but the unavailability of normal supply channels chiefly dictates their need to source locally.