ABSTRACT
The remote location of the three United States Antarctic stations (McMurdo, South Pole, and Palmer) along with the uncertainty of funding and weather, leaves little margin for last-minute procurement of supplies, scientific equipment, or services required for the scientists and contractor personnel working in support the United States Antarctic Program (USAP). To minimize the procurement risk associated with the USAP, Antarctic Support Associates (ASA) has identified areas likely to impact the USAP, and utilizes several systems to minimize disruptions to the program. In the 1996–97 season, ASA supported over 650 grantees affiliated with 168 projects at the three U.S. stations and aboard the two research vessels. The systems utilized to coordinate the availability of supplies and materials are Maintenance and Planning Control (MAPCON), Power 1000, and Cargo Tracking System (CTS). ASA also utilizes the Support Information Package (SIP) on the World Wide Web for various project planning.
