of wholesale stock to the ICP. The ICP uses this report to keep track of the inventory level and to determine when to buy additional material. The FISCs also operate Service  Mart  (SERVMART)  as  a  retail  outlet  for  high usage,  consumable  items.  Customers  can  use  the SERVMART on a walk-in basis and buy material with a  money  value  only  document.  Refer  to  NAVSUP  P-485 and  NAVSUP  P-567  for  additional  information  about FISCs. Although  very  few  Aviation  Storekeepers  have  the opportunity to work in FISCs, you must understand its basic organization. They are the first line of support to overseas  bases  and  aircraft  carriers.  They  provide  the bulk of aviation and general supplies. The following paragraphs describe the part of a FISC organization that you should be familiar with. They are your point of contact  for  material  and  service  requirements. Department  Providing  Customer  Service To an AK, the most important parts of an FISC organization  are  the  ones  that  provide  services  to customers. The following paragraphs discuss the FISC departments. The  Inventory  Control  Department  maintains  stock levels and stock records. It processes and provides the status on supply documents that are not processed through the automatic data processing system. The Requirements  division  determines  the  stock  material requirements and the channels of getting the material for stock. The Customer Services division is the initial point of contact for the fleet and shore customers on material and service requirements. It maintains customer service information   and   procedures   for   requisitioning, follow-up,   and   cancellation,   including   turn-in   of repairable items. The FISCs with regional contracting functions are responsible   for   centralized   buying   and   other purchase-related   functions   assigned   by   NAVSUP SYSCOM.  When  assigned,  the  Purchase  Department  or Contracting  Department  processes  the  request  for purchase for the FISC. It reviews purchase requests and determines the method of purchase for the material or service. It is also responsible for providing professional contracting guidance to afloat units when requested by the cognizant fleet or type commander. Material bought from purchase are those not available in the supply system. The method of getting these materials from civilian   vendors   is   commonly   known   as   “open purchase.”  The  contracting  department  makes  contracts for  material  and  services  from  authorized  civilian vendors  and  contractors.  The  NAVSUPINST  4200.81 through 4200.86 provides contracting guidance and instructions  to  all  contracting  activities. The Material Department maintains and operates storage facilities. It stores stock material and issues material when requested by the customer. Its packing and preservation division preserves, packs, and marks material for shipment. The  Fuel  Department  conducts  the  receiving, issuing,   and   inventory   operations   of   fuels.   Its responsibilities include local deliveries of fuels to other naval activities within the area. SUPPLY  DEPARTMENT Most Aviation Storekeepers fill billets in the supply department, either ashore or on ship. The basic functions and  responsibilities  of  the  supply  department  both ashore or afloat are the same. Basic functions include warehousing,  distribution,  and  control  of  material required by the activity. The NAVSUP P-485, Afloat Supply   Procedures,   and   NAVSUP   Publication   1, volume 2, Supply Ashore,  publications  describe  supply procedures afloat and ashore, respectively. Refer to these publications for additional information on the topics discussed in this chapter. Figure 1-4 illustrates the standard  organization  for  supply  departments. Ashore The Navy supply department of an ashore activity is an integral part of the organization. The purpose of a supply  department  is  to  provide  warehousing,  control stock, and distribute material in support of the activity. It  also  provides  administrative  functions  not  provided by  the  activity.  When  authorized  by  NAVSUP,  the supply department provides enlisted dining facility services in their area. The following paragraphs describe the  responsibilities  of  each  level  of  the  supply department. SUPPLY   OFFICER   AND   ASSISTANT (ASHORE).— The supply officer is responsible for all supply  functions  of  the  activity.  The  assistant  supply officer  is  responsible  for  maintaining  the  general efficiency of the work of the department. The assistant supply officer performs the duties of the supply officer during the supply officer’s absence. PLANNING DIVISION.— The Planning division performs  planning  functions  not  performed  by  higher 1-8