CHAPTER 5 PROCUREMENT In previous chapters, you have examined how a  COSAL  relates  to  a  ship,  how  each  command receives  needed  funds  and  related  accounting,  and how needed reports are dispersed to the various commands.  In  this  chapter,  you  will  learn  some of   the   methods   available   for   procuring   the necessary  material  to  manage  the  operation  of your  ship  or  unit. REQUISITIONING One  definition  of  procurement  is  to get hold of  or  obtain.  That  is  essentially  what  you  must do  to  provide  effective  supply  management  for your   ship.   When   parts   or   other   supplies   are needed, you must get hold of new stocks. The two basic methods by which you can get the materials and services you need are submission of requisi- tions  to  a  shore  activity  or  another  ship  and purchase  direct  from  a  commercial  source.  You normally  will  procure  the  required  material  by submitting a requisition to a Navy supply activity. If you cannot get the required material through normal  supply  channels,  you  can  go  direct  to  a commercial source on the open market, but only within  the  subject  limitations  in  the  Store  and Fleet   Small   Purchase   and   Other   Simplified Purchase  Procedures,   NAVSUPINST   4200.85. DISTRIBUTION  CHANNELS  AFLOAT Basically,   all   stock   points   have   as   their ultimate mission the support of the fleet. Taking up   the   problems   of   distribution   where   shore supply  points  leave  off  are  the  fleet  service  forces. The  service  forces  have  the  responsibility  for establishing  such  supply  activities  within  the  fleet as  are  necessary  to  make  efficient  distribution of  materials.  They  are  responsible  for  the implementation   and   enforcement   of   policies established by the systems commands and bureaus on the distribution of materials and also for the promulgation  of  additional  distribution  controls within the fleet. Also  affecting  the  distributive  system  afloat are   two   additional   controlling   authorities— TYCOMs  and  local  commanders.  TYCOMs  may prescribe  controls  over  the  procurement  and stocking of material in ships under their command and  may  provide  facilities  for  the  supply  of material to these ships. Local commanders, such as area commanders and senior officers present afloat,  set  up  distribution  controls  over  stock available in their areas as conditions require. Each of  these  authorities  is  responsible  for  enforcing the  distribution  controls  of  higher  authority. The  controls  of  bureaus,  service  forces, TYCOMs, and local commanders are established in  fleet  operation  orders  and  instructions. Supplementary directives on special material, on special  circumstances,  and  for  localized  areas appear in bureau and fleet instructions and in local directives.  Supply  officers  afloat  must  maintain comprehensive   and   current   files   on   these   in- structions  for  information  and  compliance. SOURCE  OF  SUPPLY Ships normally will submit requisitions to the supply activities specified in current operational orders  and  instructions  issued  under  the  direction of FLTCOMs. You should thoroughly familiarize yourself with these orders and directives. Three commonly  used  references  that  describe tioning  channels  are  as  follows: l   Atlantic   Fleet   Requisitioning CINCLANTFLTINST   P-4210.1 l   Pacific   Fleet   Requisitioning CINCPACFLTINST   4235.3 requisi- Guide, Guide, l  Consolidated Afloat Requisitioning Guide Overseas   (CARGO),   NAVSUP   P-4998 When  requisitioning  instructions  do  not  specify the supply source, ships should submit requisitions to  the  nearest  Navy  ashore  supply  activity;  for example,  the  nearest  NSC,  NSD,  or  NSY. 5-1