Download or read book Acquisition Reform Where We ve Been Current Legislation and Initiatives and Where We re Going written by and published by . This book was released on 1995 with total page 40 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: New and innovative approaches are needed throughout government; we must search for revolutionary changes, not just evolutionary changes. A key area ripe for innovation lies in reforming the defense acquisition system -- how we develop and acquire goods and services for our nation's defense. Overall, the U.S. government spends over $200 billion on procurement every year, a major portion of this amount being spent by the Department of Defense. With billions of dollars at stake, shaving even small percentages off the total quickly equates to millions of dollars in savings. However, when we consider revolutionizing defense procurement (rather than small, incremental changes) the potential savings rise to the billions. The aim of this research paper is to examine efforts underway to reform the defense acquisition system, and identify future challenges in defense acquisition. The primary focus of this paper is on current (1994 and 1995) initiatives and legislation, but it also includes sufficient historical perspective to put today's issues into the broader temporal context. After briefly summarizing past efforts in acquisition reform, this paper discusses the Clinton Administration's initiatives in reforming defense acquisition.
Download or read book Acquisition Reform written by Wesley A. Ballenger and published by . This book was released on 1995 with total page 33 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book The Ghosts of Acquisition Reform written by Stephen V. Reeves and published by . This book was released on 1996 with total page 36 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Acquisition Reform Implications for Procurement Force Structure Planning and Warfare written by and published by . This book was released on 1996 with total page 40 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Future conflicts will increasingly rely on technologically innovative weapons and weapon systems to deliver coercive force, both lethal and nonlethal, offsetting the effects of a shrinking force structure. Declining budgets for Research and Development, Procurement, and Sustainment demand a seamless integration of the civilian and military communities to field effective systems. The limited remaining funds within the Department of Defense (DoD) budget requires coordinated allocation efforts for the development and procurement of force multiplying weapons and systems. These weapons and systems, in turn, must be of adequate quality and quantity for use by the warfighter. The implications of acquisition reform on procurement and ultimately on the ability of U.S. forces to achieve Operational Objectives that satisfy National Strategies are significant. Optimizing the size and shape of future U.S. forces will be paramount in our ability to project forces abroad and provide credible coercive capacity. Acquisition reform may provide the only source of discretionary capital in future defense budgets. This paper examines current trends in acquisition reform. The work attempts to evaluate the strengths and potential pitfalls of the reforms as they affect procurement, the development of force structure, and that force structure's coercive capacity into the next century. Key issues for this future are acquisition reforms dealing with the use of commercial best practices, the elimination of nonessential regulations, the initiation of pilot/lead programs, and High Gear and Lightning Bolt Initiatives. Central to this review is the ultimate impact of acquisition reform on the operational effectiveness of U.S. forces.
Download or read book Acquisition Reform This Too Shall Pass written by and published by . This book was released on 1997 with total page 88 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: For the past 25 years we have seen vigorous, near-continuous attempts to reform the defense acquisition process. Yet, these initiatives failed to reach their stated objectives. Today, we are in the midst of another wave of acquisition reform. Will this effort too, come, and go? This paper attempts to answer this question by comparing the past efforts in implementing acquisition reform to today today's efforts using the backdrop of current organizational change theories. Four key elements to implement organizational change leadership, metrics, workforce empowerment, and changing the organizational culture are used as the basis of comparison. Of these four key elements, three show clear improvement with today's reform initiatives. The metrics program is stronger. The workforce is more involved through advances in technology and the extensive use of teams. Lastly, the values the foundation of organizational culture of government workers are clearly changing to be more conducive to reform efforts. However, in the area of leadership, there still exists a lack of an overarching national leader or strategy that transcends legislative and executive branch control. Even within the executive branch, however, conflicting strategies are employed in attempting to implement reform. From this analysis, several recommendations are offered. First, the acquisition reform leadership should concentrate on the continuous improvement strategy and only selectively use reengineering techniques. The leadership must then continue to work closely with Congress to ensure a stable and consistent program. And, lastly, we must keep in mind the big picture that the purpose of the defense acquisition system is to meet the needs of the warfighter.
Download or read book Getting the Most from Acquisition Reforms written by E. Cory Yoder and published by . This book was released on 2006 with total page 126 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The past decade has seen a significant change in business practices within the Federal contracting arena. Acquisition reform initiatives have fundamentally transformed the protocols and processes the Federal Government utilizes to procure billions of dollars' worth of goods and services every year. Reforms provided under the Federal Acquisition Streamlining Act (FASA), the Federal Acquisition Reform Act (FARA), and the Services Acquisition Reform Act (SARA), along with ensuing regulatory provisions in the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), have created a more business-to-business-like contracting methodology. One such methodology is the FAR 13.5 Test Program for Commercial Items. FAR 13.5 allows the utilization of Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) for all commercial-item designated goods and services up to and including $5.5 million. The FAR 13.5 provisions are aimed at improving the efficiency and effectiveness of Federal contracting processes. The FAR 13.5 regulatory provision has tremendous potential to alleviate field contracting activities' work-in-process backlogs, improve cycle-time, reduce transaction costs, and increase customer satisfaction in the business processes designed to provide essential goods and services. However, based on the researcher's review of the business decision protocol at many acquisition and contracting centers, and as a result of similar research conducted in 2004, 2005 and 2006, this text asserts many contracting activities may not be effectively utilizing the legislative and regulatory authority under FAR 13.5 to garner desired efficiencies and effectiveness. Therefore, the objective of this research study is to determine the extent to which the Navy's FISC (Fleet and Industrial Supply Center) activities are capitalizing on the legislative provisions and regulatory provisions of FAR 13.5 and to make specific recommendations for improving the full utilization of the FAR 13.5 commercial-item designation provisions. This sponsored research study: 1) provides an overview of the applicable legislative and regulatory provisions, specifically FAR 13.5, and urges full utilization of the FAR 13.5 provisions, 2) investigates current business practices within the Fleet and Industrial Supply Centers (FISC) related to the FAR 13.5 regulatory provisions, 3) determines the extent to which FISC is reporting FAR 13.5 utilization and the degree of effective and efficient utilization of the FAR 13.5 provision, and 4) provides research conclusions and specific recommendations for better utilization of the FAR 13.5 provisions designed to benefit all process-protocol stakeholders, including the FISCs, their supported customers, the Navy and, ultimately, the American taxpayers.
Download or read book Changing Bureaucratic Behavior Acquisition Reform in the United States Army written by and published by . This book was released on 2000 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Recent efforts to "reinvent" government have extended to the acquisition system of the Department of Defense (DoD). In 1994, then Secretary of Defense William Perry directed the military services (Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps) to begin the process of reinventing their acquisition systems and policies. An important element of the "Perry Initiatives" was the elimination of all military specifications (milspecs) and standards from use in military acquisition. Traditional milspecs and standards were to be replaced with performance-based specifications. The Department of the Army (Army) took the lead in implementing the new policy, directing its employees to discontinue using all milspecs and standards. By late 1994, however, Army leadership found resistance to this policy from within the acquisition work force. Although the directive appeared clear-eliminate all milspecs and standards from use-Army leadership noted that milspecs and standards were still finding their way into requests for proposals (RFPs) and statements of work (SOWs) at the core of the acquisition process. Having adopted the initiatives and seeking to implement them fully, Army leadership was interested in learning why the rank and file of the acquisition work force was not embracing the reforms. In addition, the Army was interested in identifying ways to "incentivize" or improve implementation of milspec and standard reform.
Download or read book Acquisition Revolution written by and published by . This book was released on 1996 with total page 99 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The federal acquisition system has long been inefficient in developing and acquiring advanced weapon systems in a timely fashion. These inefficiencies cost tax payers billions in overruns and delay the deployment of critical military capabilities. The major causes for cost overruns and schedule delays are burdensome laws and regulations, military required specifications and standards, program instability, and congressional micromanagement. While past and current acquisition reform initiatives have reduced some of these inefficiencies, they have not gone far enough. For reform to fulfill its promise, a total reengineering of the existing defense acquisition structure must occur from top to bottom. The objective of this study is to introduce concepts that will induce a revolution in acquisition affairs and transform the current bureaucracy into an effective and efficient organization that can exploit emerging technologies in the future. To accomplish this, the team analyzed the current acquisition system, identified problems with the system, examined lessons from successful programs, and investigated current acquisition reform initiatives. To support this analysis, the team conducted an extensive literature search and solicited information from acquisition personnel at the Pentagon, Air Force Material Command, Army Material Command, and the Defense Systems Management College.
Download or read book DOD Acquisition Reform written by Jesse A. Thomas and published by . This book was released on 1995 with total page 34 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book CRS Issue Statement on Defense Acquisition written by and published by . This book was released on 2010 with total page 5 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Department of Defense (DOD) has fielded, by all accounts, a technologically advanced and superior military force in the world and is supplied by a sophisticated acquisition system. This acquisition system is comprised of the management policy and processes that guide all DOD acquisition programs. However, at the same time, DOD has experienced significant problems managing the costs, schedule, and performance of this acquisition system, despite continued efforts to reform defense acquisition policies, personnel, and processes. In recent years, Congress has expressed increasing concerns with the management of the DOD acquisition system. Congressional concerns include the failure of DOD to develop effective acquisition strategies to field weapons systems and effectively provide oversight and accountability for service contracts and contractors, particularly with the broader policy questions raised in the awarding and managing of contracts for reconstruction and combat support services performed in Iraq. Recent reports of weapon system cost overruns and instances of waste, fraud, abuse, and contract mismanagement point to a continued need for investigations, hearings, and other oversight activities for the second session of the 111th Congress. Congress has already taken steps to address some of the problems through the passage of the Weapon Systems Acquisition Reform Act of 2009, Public Law 111-23. Other related legislative initiatives introduced but not enacted during the 111th Congress were the Weapons Acquisition System Reform Through Enhancing Technical Knowledge and Oversight Act, H.R. 2101, and the Contractor Accountability Act, H.R.1360.
Download or read book Acquisition Reform written by Sandra S. Crisp and published by . This book was released on 1996-06-01 with total page 142 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Chemical Stockpile Disposal Program (CSDP) was established to plan and execute the safe destruction of the nation's stockpile of unitary chemical weapons. The CSDP is unique in that it is not a weapon system production program but, a weapon system destruction program with a mandated completion date of December 31, 2004. Execution of the program requires that multiple public issues be addressed including the public's concern regarding safety and the environment. Cost growth and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) permit delays have jeopardized on time completion within life cycle cost estimates. Another relevant issue is reform of the acquisition process, specifically the DoD requirement to convert military-unique specifications and standards to performance statements or commercial equivalents. This research provides evidence that acquisition reform initiatives on specifications and standards has had a positive influence on program costs with no overall program schedule delays. Continued efforts in this area should enhance the ability to demilitarize the nation's deteriorating stockpile of lethal chemical weapons within projected cost while maintaining or improving the quality and safety levels currently set by the EPA. The specific recommendations provided herein are intended to assist in improving program effectiveness and efficiency.
Download or read book An Exploratory Analysis of the Impacts of Acquisition Reform Initiatives on Small Business Participation in the Aerospace Industry written by Bruce J. Miller and published by . This book was released on 2002-03-01 with total page 170 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The United States Government is a major purchaser of goods and services within the nation and overseas. In addition to having the responsibility of acquiring goods and services for the direct benefit of the Government at a price, level of quality, timeliness and other terms and conditions that reflect the best value to the nation, the persons involved in procurement for the Government must also do so in way that reflects certain socio-economic goals set forth by the Congress. The Small Business Act (15 USC 637, Public Law 85-536 (1958) established the beginnings of a program to assist domestic small businesses in competing for Federal procurements. The small business act requires that small business concerns be afforded the maximum practicable opportunity to participate in Federal contracts and subcontracts. This thesis looks the impact of acquisition reform and related developments in the last ten years on the participation of small business subcontractors in the aerospace industry through the window of six major aerospace weapon system programs. The objectives of this research were to (1) research the buying practices of the defense aerospace industry to determine current trends relating to small business levels of participation by comparing acquisition programs, and (2) compare existing Air Force small business programs, policies, and techniques to developing trends for small business participation and identify strengths and weaknesses.
Download or read book MOVING FORWARD WITH SERVICES ACQUISITION REFORM A LEGISLATIVE APPROACH TO UTILIZING HEARING COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT REFORM HOUSE OF written by and published by . This book was released on 2003 with total page 176 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Multiyear Procurement written by Robert J. Kilpatrick and published by . This book was released on 1998 with total page 107 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The purpose of this thesis is to examine the relationship between Congress and the Department of Defense (DoD) with respect to Multiyear Procurement (MYP) within the 1990's environment of decreasing fiscal budgets. Sub-issues include analysis of MYP cancellation risk, levels of Congressional control over the DOD MYP process and the Congressional MYP approval/rejection decisions. The data for this research were gathered through a literature review on the internet, LEXIS/ NEXIS, and various libraries. Interviews were conducted with personnel on the Secretary of Defense staff, Senate Armed Services Committee Staff and numerous DoD program offices. This thesis concludes that multiyear cancellation risk is not as high as it is generally perceived. It also concludes that MYP legislation has not fully evolved consistent with recent acquisition reform initiatives. The final conclusion is that Congress' rationale for MYP approval/rejection is often not clear. Finally this thesis presents two recommendations to improve the MYP process.
Download or read book Multiyear Procurement written by Robert J. Kilpatrick, Jr. and published by . This book was released on 1998-12-01 with total page 116 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The purpose of this thesis is to examine the relationship between Congress and the Department of Defense (DoD) with respect to Multiyear Procurement (MYP) within the 1990's environment of decreasing fiscal budgets. Sub-issues include analysis of MYP cancellation risk, levels of Congressional control over the DOD MYP process and the Congressional MYP approval/rejection decisions. The data for this research were gathered through a literature review on the internet, LEXIS/ NEXIS, and various libraries. Interviews were conducted with personnel on the Secretary of Defense staff, Senate Armed Services Committee Staff and numerous DoD program offices. This thesis concludes that multiyear cancellation risk is not as high as it is generally perceived. It also concludes that MYP legislation has not fully evolved consistent with recent acquisition reform initiatives. The final conclusion is that Congress' rationale for MYP approval/rejection is often not clear. Finally this thesis presents two recommendations to improve the MYP process.
Download or read book Multiyear Procurement An Analysis of the Relationship Between Congress and the Department of Defense in an Acquisition Reform Environment written by Robert Kilpatrick and published by . This book was released on 1998 with total page 116 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The purpose of this thesis is to examine the relationship between Congress and the Department of Defense (DoD) with respect to Multiyear Procurement (MYP) within the 1990's environment of decreasing fiscal budgets. Sub-issues include analysis of MYP cancellation risk, levels of Congressional control over the DOD MYP process and the Congressional MYP approval/rejection decisions. The data for this research were gathered through a literature review on the internet, LEXIS/ NEXIS, and various libraries. Interviews were conducted with personnel on the Secretary of Defense staff, Senate Armed Services Committee Staff and numerous DoD program offices. This thesis concludes that multiyear cancellation risk is not as high as it is generally perceived. It also concludes that MYP legislation has not fully evolved consistent with recent acquisition reform initiatives. The final conclusion is that Congress' rationale for MYP approval/rejection is often not clear. Finally this thesis presents two recommendations to improve the MYP process.
Download or read book Moving forward with services acquisition reform written by United States. Congress. House. Committee on Government Reform. Subcommittee on Technology and Procurement Policy and published by . This book was released on 2002 with total page 176 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
