Accession Number:

ADA566746

Title:

Defense AT&L. Volume 40, Number 5, September-October 2011

Descriptive Note:

Journal

Corporate Author:

DEFENSE ACQUISITION UNIV FT BELVOIR VA

Personal Author(s):

Report Date:

2011-10-01

Pagination or Media Count:

77.0

Abstract:

Over the past 3 years, a confluence of continuing long wars, recognition of the need to recapitalizemodernize existing military equipment, and rising national debt as a result of the financial crisis, has created a perfect storm of competing requirements. DoD has been forced to cancel one unaffordable program after another to live within budget constraints. When taken as a whole, it is obvious that continuing business as usual in defense systems acquisition is not sustainable. As a corps of acquisition professionals, our buying strategies must adapt to this new reality and recognize that the costs of our weapon systems must assume a more prominent role in the decision process our nations future depends on it. These adjustments in our acquisition approach, tools, techniques, and attitudes are necessary if we are to continue to provide our fighting forces with the material and technical edge required for victory on our terms. It is in this spirit that Dr. Carter released our Better Buying Power BBP initiatives and directives in concert with the component acquisition executives CAEs. These initiatives resulted from actively seeking inputs from acquisition leaders within DoD and the defense industry and distilled from best practices and lessons learned. More than 130 recommendations were received, analyzed, and vetted, resulting in 23 specific actions contained in the Sept. 14, 2010 Memorandum for Acquisition Professionals. These actions were grouped into five major areas Target Affordability and Control Cost Growth Incentivize Productivity and Innovation in Industry Promote Real Competition Improve Tradecraft in Services Acquisition Reduce Non-Productive Processes and Bureaucracy

Descriptors:

• *COSTS
• *MILITARY PROCUREMENT
• DEFENSE INDUSTRY
• MANUFACTURING
• METRICS
• SAVINGS
• TRAINING
• WEAPON SYSTEMS

Subject Categories:

• Administration and Management
• Logistics, Military Facilities and Supplies

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE