GOCO

A GOCO contract (Government-Owned, Contractor-Operated) is a procurement arrangement where the U.S. government retains ownership of facilities, equipment, or assets, while a private contractor operates, maintains, and manages them. The contractor is selected through a competitive process and assumes operational responsibilities under government oversight. Key elements include performance-based incentives, compliance with federal regulations, and adherence to contractually defined objectives. GOCO contracts are common in defense, energy, and research sectors, leveraging private-sector efficiency while ensuring government control. Accountability is maintained through stringent reporting, audits, and evaluation metrics, with the government retaining ultimate authority over strategic decisions and ownership rights.

GOCO Overview

• Government-Owned: The government retains ownership of the facility, equipment, or infrastructure.
• Contractor-Operated: A private contractor is awarded the responsibility to operate and manage the facility or provide services, often leveraging their specialized expertise, flexibility, and efficiency.

The GOCO model allows the government to harness private-sector innovation and efficiency while maintaining oversight and strategic control.

Application in ISR and Comms

1. ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance):
   • GOCO contracts are often awarded for ISR operations to leverage contractor expertise in areas like:
     • Operating unmanned aerial systems (UAS) for surveillance missions.
     • Processing and analyzing data collected from ISR platforms.
     • Maintaining and upgrading ISR systems and technologies.
   • Example: A contractor may operate a government-owned drone fleet and provide intelligence analysis, while the government retains strategic oversight of the missions.
2. Communications (Comms):
   • GOCO contracts are used to manage advanced communication networks and infrastructure, including secure satellite systems, ground-based comms stations, and tactical communication platforms.
   • Contractors may:
     • Operate and maintain communication networks to ensure readiness.
     • Provide upgrades to existing communication systems (e.g., encryption technologies or bandwidth expansion).
     • Handle the integration of new communication technologies into existing defense systems.

Benefits of GOCO in ISR and Comms

• Cost-Efficiency: Reduces operational costs by leveraging private-sector practices.
• Expertise: Access to specialized skills and cutting-edge technology not readily available within the government.
• Flexibility: Allows quicker adaptation to evolving threats and mission requirements.

Considerations

• Accountability: The government must ensure clear oversight to align contractor operations with national security objectives.
• Contract Structuring: Well-defined performance metrics and terms are crucial to prevent misalignment of priorities or inefficiencies.
• Security: Ensuring that sensitive ISR and comms data is protected and controlled under strict regulations.

Examples

• A GOCO ISR contract might involve a defense contractor like Leidos operating a government-owned SIGINT (Signals Intelligence) collection platform.
• A GOCO comms contract might include General Dynamics running a secure satellite communication facility to support military operations.

If you need specific examples or want a deeper dive into current GOCO contracts, let me know!