Since 2012, the Department of Defense (DOD) and Government Accountability Office (GAO) have observed lower cost growth in the acquisition of the largest weapon systems. Although the acquisition environment is complex, much of the success is being attributed to the management program, Better Buying Power (BBP). BBP was first introduced in 2010 by the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics (USD[AT&L]) and it provides best practices for the acquisition community...
Topics: acquisition reform, affordability, military procurement, cost growth, military acquisition,...
Naval Postgraduate School
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Choi, Yeong Sam M.; Morneault, Jason A.; Poole, Daniel J.
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On May 22, 2009, President Barack Obama signed into law the Weapons Systems Acquisition Reform Act (WSARA). The intent of this law is to reform acquisition processes, control unsustainable cost growth, and make programs more affordable. In 2010, despite WSARA, program cost, schedule overruns, and less-than-desirable performance were still prevalent in DoD acquisition. In response, Ashton Carter, Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics (USD[AT&L]), issued his...
Topics: Project management, weapon systems, military procurement, cost overruns, military acquisition,...
This conference brings together leaders of the industry small business community and the government (Small Business Administration and Department of Defense) to discuss timely topics, including recent changes affecting small businesses. Participants will include key Government decision makers from Washington to field commanders who conduct acquisitions. The conference provides a forum for open exchange of information and ideas between senior government officials and small business...
Topics: DTIC Archive, National Defense Industrial Association Arlington United States, INDUSTRIES,...
This is the third short article in a series on time management that Ive written for Defense AT and L magazine. I think it is important for acquisition professionals to manage time wisely. If you havent figured it out yet, time is your most important resourcepersonally and professionally. Anyway, I know youre busy, so lets dive in.
Topics: DTIC Archive, Wood,Roy, Defense Acquisition University Fort Belvoir United States, time,...
Even though ambiguity and political issues surround the Evolutionary Acquisition and Spiral Development policy, still Evolutionary Acquisition is a viable and prudent strategy and Spiral Development is a viable and prudent process.
Topics: DTIC Archive, Hantos,Peter, life cycles, concurrent engineering, systems engineering, PLANNING...
As part of procurement planning, government acquisition teams must select a method by which proposals will be evaluated. The two most common methodologies are lowest price technically acceptable(LPTA) and tradeoff. There is a commonly held anecdotal belief that an LPTA approach results in a shorter procurement administration lead time (PALT) but also tends to provide the government with an inferior product or level of service. Conversely, it is believed that a tradeoff approach will yield a...
Topics: DTIC Archive, Ban,Rebecca W, Naval Postgraduate School Monterey United States, military...
We have been studying DoD acquisition decision making since 2009. The US DoD acquisition process is extremely complex. There are three key processes that must work in concert to deliver capabilities: determining warfighters requirements and needs; planning the DoD budget, and procuring final products. Each process produces large amounts of information (Big Data). There is a critical need for automation, validation, and discovery to help acquisition professionals, decision makers and researchers...
Topics: DTIC Archive, Zhao,Ying, Naval Postgraduate School Monterey United States, military acquisition,...
Congress established DAWDF in 2008 to provide DOD with a dedicated source of funding to help recruit and train members of the acquisition workforce. Since 2008, DOD has obligated more than $3.5 billion to meet those objectives. However, in 2012, GAO reported that DODs ability to execute hiring and other initiatives had been hindered by delays in the DAWDF funding process, resulting in a large amount of unused funds being carried over from year to year. GAO was asked to review DODs management of...
Topics: DTIC Archive, U.S. Government Accountability Office Washington United States, military acquisition,...
Early Synthetic Prototyping (ESP) is a new concept in which capability and material developers use an online game to crowdsource ideas from online players in order to increase viable synthetic prototypes. In entertainment games, players often create videos of their game play to share with other players to demonstrate how to complete a segment of a game. This thesis explores similar self-recorded videos of ESP game play and determines if they provide useful data to capability and material...
Topics: Early Synthetic Prototyping, video games, science and technology, game environment, online game...
There is an old saying that you dont really understand something until you have to teach it to someone else. With both of us having more than 20 years of defense acquisition experience, we were confident in our abilities and knowledge of the acquisition process. So much that we decided to join the Defense Acquisition University faculty as professors of acquisition management. As new instructors, we expected the teaching certification process to consist of taking train-the-trainer classes to...
Topics: DTIC Archive, Gleason,Wes, Defense Acquisition University Fort Belvoir United States, military...
Consolidated Afloat Networks and Enterprise Services (CANES) is the Navy's only Program of Record to replace existing afloat networks and provide the necessary infrastructure for applications, systems, and services required for the Navy to dominate the Cyber Warfare domain. CANES is the technical and infrastructure consolidation of existing, separately managed afloat networks including Integrated Shipboard Network Systems, Combined Enterprise Regional Information Exchange System - Maritime,...
Topics: DTIC Archive, McNeal,William, U.S. Navy San Diego United States, communications networks,...
In order to avoid an economic collapse and strategic retrenchment similar to what the Soviet Union went through at the end of the Cold War, the United States needs to adopt a blended defense acquisitions strategy. As the Cold War began and facing mounting Western military strength, the Soviet Union needed to grow their defense forces. The Soviets decided on an offset strategy that sought a quantitatively superior force designed to break individual links in the United States and Western kill...
Topics: DTIC Archive, Silver,Bryce A, NATIONAL DEFENSE UNIV NORFOLK VA NORFOLK United States, Acquisition,...
Despite Herculean efforts and decades of acquisition reform, defense acquisition is in big trouble. There is a ground swell of discontent from within and outside the Department of Defense. On Jan. 27, 2009, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee, saying, Entrenched attitudes throughout the government are particularly pronounced in the area of acquisition: a risk-averse culture, a litigious process, parochial interests, excessive and changing...
Topics: DTIC Archive, Haggerty,Alan, Defense Acquisition University Fort Belvoir United States, military...
Our Defense Acquisition Workforce struggles with a shortage of employees skilled in source selectionthe art or science of choosing a provider for a product or service. The significant lack of experience is due to the recent hiring of many new workforce members, and few of these have been through the highs and lows of essentially a sequestration while determining the most likely offeror. Col. (Brig. Gen. select) Cameron G. Holt, then serving as director of contracting for Air Force Life Cycle...
Topics: DTIC Archive, Elsesser,Tom, Defense Acquisition University-South Region Huntsville United States,...
Risks, issues and opportunities are programmatic hurdles for many acquisition personnel. For example, program offices deal with technical risks in the form of technologies that are not mature enough or are unable to provide the same capability in production that was achieved in development. They also deal with cost risks such as an insufficient budget or budgetary cost overruns and program efforts that take longer than scheduled due to requirements growth. The basics of risks, issues and...
Topics: DTIC Archive, Conroy,Thomas II L, Defense Acquisition University Fort Belvoir United States,...
When discussing an acquisition program, we often focus on the program manager as the key to success. But managing an acquisition program is really a team effort. Often, it involves the complex interaction of many integrated product teams (IPTs) working together.
Topics: DTIC Archive, Gadeken,Owen, Defense Acquisition University Fort Belvoir United States,...
Topics: DTIC Archive, Defense Acquisition University Fort Belvoir United States, MILITARY ACQUISITION,...
Institute for Defense Analyses Paper P-5126 found that additional acquisition reforms after those introduced in mid-1969 by then Deputy Secretary of Defense David Packard did not significantly reduce cost growth on Major Defense Acquisition Programs (MDAPs). While a useful insight into the effects of changes in acquisition policy and process, that conclusion leaves open the possibility that the Packard reforms reduced cost growth compared to the record of the 1960s, which is the issue examined...
Topics: DTIC Archive, McNicol,David L, INSTITUTE FOR DEFENSE ANALYSES ALEXANDRIA VA ALEXANDRIA, MILITARY...
Defense AT and L is a bimonthly magazine published by DAU Press, Defense Acquisition University, for senior military personnel, civilians, defense contractors and defense industry professionals in program management and the acquisition, technology and logistics workforce.
Topics: DTIC Archive, Tyree,Benjamin, Defense Acquisition University Fort Belvoir United States, program...
Defense AT and L is a bimonthly magazine published by DAU Press, Defense Acquisition University, for senior military personnel, civilians, defense contractors, and defense industry professionals in program management and the acquisition, technology, and logistics workforce.
Topics: DTIC Archive, Tyree,Benjamin, Defense Acquisition University Fort Belvoir United States, program...
Department of the Army program managers (PMs) have encountered difficulty in effectively managing the life cycle sustainment plan (LCSP) after transition into the Operations and Support (O and S) phase. Due to concerns with the M 777 Howitzer program, Program Executive Office Ammunition (PEO-Ammo) requested a review of the perceived lack of PM control during the O and S phase. This lack of control is focused on the LCSP funding, which PEO-Ammo believes has jeopardized the success of several of...
Topics: DTIC Archive, Suri,Kadir, Naval Postgraduate School Monterey United States, life cycle management,...
This conference seeks to create an interactive forum for Program Managers, Systems Engineers, Chief Scientists, and engineers and managers from the government, industry, and academic communities whose interests converge on Defense acquisition, from capabilities analysis through disposal.
Topics: DTIC Archive, National Defense Industrial Association Arlington United States, defense systems,...
Over the past year, the number of programs in the Department of Defenses (DOD) portfolio of major defense acquisitions increased from 78 to 79, while DODs total planned investment in these programs decreased from $1.45 trillion to $1.44 trillion. This estimate is in line with a trend seen since 2010 of decreases in the portfolios total acquisition cost. The portfolios cost growth since first full estimates has been substantial, but most of the cost growth occurred 5 or more years ago. The...
Topics: DTIC Archive, Sullivan,Michael J, U.S. Government Accountability Office Washington United States,...
Additive manufacturing (AM), or 3D printing, is poised to change the world of military expeditionary operations. It has the potential to affect every element of military operationslogistics, training, simulation, and warfighting. However, these cutting-edge technologies are shifting so rapidly that the current military acquisition system is not prepared for their adoption on a large scale. Among the issues that need to be addressed are 3D watermarking of digital models, proper prints in a...
Topics: DTIC Archive, Friedell,Matthew D, Naval Postgraduate School Monterey United States, additive...
The Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) is being developed by the Army and the Marine Corps as a successor to the High Mobility, Multi-Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV), which has been in service since 1985. On October 28, 2008, awards were made for the JLTV Technology Development (TD) Phase to three industry teams: (1) BAE Systems, (2) the team of Lockheed Martin and General Tactical Vehicle, and (3) AM General and General Dynamics Land Systems.
Topics: DTIC Archive, Feickert,Andrew, Congressional Research Service Washington United States, military...
In the bad old days of the Cold War, the United States relied on a strategic deterrence triad: long-range bombers, land-based intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), and mobile nuclear submarine-based ballistic missiles. The combination of these deterrents ensured that a viable strategic deterrence was always maintained. Similarly, effective product support relies on a triad of focused (and carefully chosen) sustainment outcome metrics, effective interaction among the integrated product...
Topics: DTIC Archive, Johnson,Terry, Defense Acquisition University Fort Belvoir United States, METRICS,...
Defense AT and L is a bi-monthly magazine published by DAU Press, Defense Acquisition University, for senior military personnel, civilians, defense contractors, and defense industry professionals in program management and the acquisition, technology, and logistics workforce. The magazine provides information on policies, trends, events, and current thinking regarding program management and the acquisition, technology, and logistics workforce.
Topics: DTIC Archive, Greig,Judith, Defense Acquisition University Fort Belvoir United States, military...
This project provides an analysis on the expected effects of the most recent guidance that seeks to reform DOD acquisition. Specifically, it researches and analyzes the effects of other acquisition reform items on the JPEO-CBD portfolio, and the expected trend of the newest guidance toward achieving greater effectiveness in acquisition. Methodology includes a comparative analysis of items that may indicate effectiveness, such as project schedules and number of documents required. Data and...
Topics: DTIC Archive, Whaley,Emily C, NAVAL POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL MONTEREY CA MONTEREY United States,...
Defense AT and L is a bimonthly magazine published by DAU Press, Defense Acquisition University, for senior military personnel, civilians, defense contractors and defense industry professionals in program management and the acquisition, technology and logistics workforce.
Topics: DTIC Archive, Tyree,Benjamin, Defense Acquisition University Fort Belvoir United States, military...
Department of Defense (DoD) program managers (PMs) typically face significant challenges in executing their current program as reflected in their acquisition program baseline. While the current program may have several years of cycle time prior to delivery and fielding, the PM may also be planning for future increments, sustainment and other long-term efforts. Strategic planning can help the PM position these future programs and actions for good outcomes.
Topics: DTIC Archive, Schultz,Brian, Defense Acquisition University Fort Belvoir United States,...
The purpose of this project is to analyze Operational Contract Support (OCS) planning doctrine for maturity and applicability to single services. In the OCS Initial Capabilities Document, the Department of Defense declared OCS a core defense capability. Service components are participating in numerous initiatives to institutionalize this function through the creation of resources spanning doctrine, organization, training, material, leadership, education, personnel, facilities and policy...
Topics: DTIC Archive, Kimsey,Sara D, Naval Postgraduate School Monterey United States, military...
Budgetary concerns over the last decade have put increased pressure on federal agencies to improve efficiency and create cost savings. Accordingly, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) and other watchdog groups have increasingly scrutinized government source selections; GAO reports and procurement experts alike indicate opportunities for improvement in this area. To aid in this improvement initiative, our research focuses on the contract management process, with special emphasis on the...
Topics: DTIC Archive, Lamoureux,Jacques, Naval Postgraduate School Monterey United States, contract...
The Honorable Frank Kendall IIIwas Senate confirmed in May 2012 and currently serves as the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics (AT and L). In this capacity, he is responsible to the Secretary of Defense for all matters pertaining to acquisition; research and engineering; developmental testing; contract administration; logistics and materiel readiness; installations and environment; operational energy; chemical, biological, and nuclear weapons; the acquisition...
Topics: DTIC Archive, Naval Postgraduate School Monterey United States, logistics, supply chain management,...
Defense AT and L is a bimonthly magazine published by DAU Press, Defense Acquisition University, for senior military personnel, civilians, defense contractors, and defense industry professionals in program management and the acquisition, technology, and logistics workforce.
Topics: DTIC Archive, Bell,John R, Defense Acquisition University Fort Belvoir United States, logistics,...
We determined whether DoD Components used Acquisition and Cross-Service Agreement (ACSA) Global Automated Tracking and Reporting System (AGATRS) properly in support of Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR).
Topics: DTIC Archive, Department of Defense Inspector General Alexandria United States, MILITARY...
Early Synthetic Prototyping (ESP) is a new concept in which capability and material developers use an online game to crowd source ideas from online players in order to increase viable synthetic prototypes. In entertainment games, players often create videos of their game play to share with other players to demonstrate how to complete a segment of a game. This thesis explores similar self-recorded videos of ESP game play and determines if they provide useful data to capability and material...
Topics: DTIC Archive, Provost,Matthew R, Naval Postgraduate School Monterey United States, online...
Imagine flying a plane, serving on a ship, or commanding a ground convoy. Make it challenging; make it real. Put yourself in some tough situations in Iraq or Afghanistan. What must race through your mind every day of your assignment? For example, would you worry about conditions in the combat environment, the geography, the threat, the rules of engagement, the other people in your unit, doctrine, policy, facilities, and the overall mission? Yes, you would worry about all of that and more. Any...
Topics: DTIC Archive, Court,Charles M, Defense Acquisition University Fort Belvoir United States, military...
It has been just over 40 years since the fulfillment of President John F. Kennedys goal of landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to the earth. As we reflect on this technological triumph, we find numerous examples of acquisition best practices and lessons learned, many of which are manifest in our current DoD acquisition management system.From its earliest stages, the U.S. space program pioneered and implemented many innovative ideas and best practicesoften out of necessityand many...
Topics: DTIC Archive, Moschler,Joe, Defense Acquisition University Fort Belvoir United States, military...
Though the common use of the word procurement implies the buying of all things, within the defense community procurement refers to the appropriations title by that name. Procurement is the DOD appropriations title that provides funds to purchase major equipment. DOD classes procurement appropriations as non construction-related investment costs, or the costs to acquire capital assets, such as an F-35 Joint Strike Fighter or a Virginia-class submarine. Investment costs are distinguished from...
Topics: DTIC Archive, Rumbaugh,Russell, LIBRARY OF CONGRESS WASHINGTON DC WASHINGTON DC, procurement,...
Never in the field of acquisition was so much requested by so many with so few dollars. This play on Winston Churchills famous Battle of Britain quote reflects the recent history of Americas expectations for national security coupled with an austere budgetary environment. This raises the question, How do we achieve what we need to within a context of diminishing resources? The answer lies in finding efficiencies, relying on value-based decision making, understanding trade-offs second-order...
Topics: DTIC Archive, Murphy,Joseph, Office of the Secretary of Defense Washignton United States, military...
Competition throughout the life cycle of an acquisition program not only is possible, it is alive and well in the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) program. This article focuses on the JLTV program and the Better Buying Power 2.0 (BBP 2.0) effort to Promote Effective Competition. Although the JLTV program began before BBP 2.0, the overarching concept of competition throughout the life cycle of an acquisition program is not new and remains a key component of the Federal Acquisition Regulation.
Topics: DTIC Archive, Mills,Stephen J, Defense Acquisition University Fort Belvoir United States, military...
In the May-June 2013 issue of Defense AT and L magazine, Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Frank Kendall authored an article titled The Original Better Buying PowerDavid Packard Acquisition Rules 1971. Packards fifth acquisition rule was fly before you buythe underpinnings of test and evaluation (T and E). I thought it might be interesting to look at another challenge that then Deputy Secretary of Defense David Packard confronted in 1971: what to do about test...
Topics: DTIC Archive, Hutchison,Steven J, Office of the Secretary of Defense Washington United States,...
For the last 8 years, I have been a faculty member in the Defense Acquisition Universitys Executive Leadership and Coaching programs, and I thought it would be worthwhile to share our students definition of the leaders role in establishing and running extraordinary teams. The journey to gather the data started with a classroom discussion. I had arranged for a guest speaker who had led several successful programs, and during my introduction I started to tell a story about when he assumed command...
Topics: DTIC Archive, Reynolds,Scott, Defense Acquisition University Fort Belvoir United States,...
Typical acquisition reform efforts have been focused in the margins, achieving marginal results. The evidence of decades of acquisition reform indicates that the marginal reforms typically taken are not making the fundamental changes needed by the Departmentof Defense (DoD). Legislative changes made since 2009 and several years of Better Buying Power refinements have incrementally improved acquisition practice, but many would argue that more change is needed. The simple, but revolutionary...
Topics: DTIC Archive, Wood,Roy, Defense Acquisition University Fort Belvoir United States, procurement,...
In 2009, the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense Acquisition, Technology and Logistics(USD(ATL) established oversight requirements for service acquisitions upon realizing that services contracting accounted for half of the Department of Defenses annual obligations. This led to the enactment of stricter policies for services contracting within the Department of the Army. This project reviews the policies and procedures that led to the Army Service Acquisition Strategy (SAS) Review...
Topics: DTIC Archive, Moss,Roxanne, Naval Postgraduate School Monterey United States, military acquisition,...
U.S. military services would never consider letting someoneespecially an officer with experience in a vastly different fieldfly a complex aircraft with only a few weeks of classroom indoctrination. Why? Because we all recognize the difference between knowledge and experience. Yet in too many of our acquisitions, program managers and their key functional leaders have insufficient on-the-job experience to manage the complex, multi-billion-dollar acquisition programs. Even the acquisition...
Topics: DTIC Archive, Wood,Roy, Defense Systems Management College Fort Belvoir United States, program...
Looking at past offsets - gaining an advantage over an adversary - might provide insight to the institutional Army on how to develop and implement a Third Offset. Although an examination of history may not point to the answer for the Third Offset, it may bring to light the factors that made past offsets successful and offer a model that leaders can use as they wade through the options. Coming out of the Vietnam War, the Chief of Staff of the Army and the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command...
Topics: DTIC Archive, DeBiase,Brian, Defense Acquisition University Aberdeen Proving Ground United States,...
The Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) is being developed by the Army and the Marine Corps as a successor to the High Mobility, Multi-Wheeled (HMMWV), which has been in service since 1985. On October 28, 2008, awards were made for the JLTV Technology Development (TD) Phase to three industry teams: (1) BAE Systems, (2) the team of Lockheed Martin and General Tactical Vehicle, and (3) AM General and General Dynamics Land Systems. On January 26, 2012, the Army issued the Request for Proposal...
Topics: DTIC Archive, Feickert,Andrew, Congressional Research Service Washington United States, military...
The Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle (AMPV) is the Armys proposed replacement for the Vietnam-era M-113 personnel carriers, which are still in service in a variety of support capacities in Armored Brigade Combat Teams (ABCTs). While M-113s no longer serve as infantry fighting vehicles, five variants of the M-113 are used as command and control vehicles, general purpose vehicles, mortar carriers, and medical treatment and evacuation vehicles. An estimated 3,000 of these M-113 variants are currently...
Topics: DTIC Archive, Feickert,Andrew, Congressional Research Service Washington, armored personnel...
Air Force acquisition experiences frequent criticism for its perceived shortcomings in the areas of cost, schedule, and performance. While not a panacea to the myriad of complex Air Force acquisition challenges, additive manufacturing provides significant potential benefits to cost, schedule, and performance in future Air Force acquisition if implemented methodically across every phase of the acquisition lifecycle. Applied to the Material Analysis acquisition phase, additive manufacturing...
Topics: DTIC Archive, FOREST,BENJAMIN D, AIR WAR COLLEGE MAXWELL AFB United States, additive manufacturing,...
