An Analysis of Selected Department of Defense Reprocurement Programs for Acquisition of Legacy System Spare Parts Via Small Manufacturers

An Analysis of Selected Department of Defense Reprocurement Programs for Acquisition of Legacy System Spare Parts Via Small Manufacturers
Author: Brett E. Fillmore
Publisher:
Total Pages: 80
Release: 1997-12-01
Genre:
ISBN: 9781423563259

The life-cycle extension of weapon systems has created problems for sustaining spare parts procurement. This study analyzes selected DOD reprocurement initiatives for securing responsive manufacturing capacity of small manufacturing companies to overcome these problems. Interviews were also conducted with Government and industry representatives and managers of small manufacturing shops to identify possible barriers to the application of the DOD initiatives. The findings reveal that the DOD initiatives and their associated technologies could dramatically reduce costly lead time delays by enabling the electronic exchange of technical product data between a geographically dispersed set of qualified machine shops and DOD supply centers. However, unless DOD efforts are directed at unifying the components necessary for procuring legacy weapon system spare parts, the barriers will remain as significant obstacles.

Defense acquisition : improved program outcomes are possible

Defense acquisition : improved program outcomes are possible
Author:
Publisher: DIANE Publishing
Total Pages: 34
Release: 1998
Genre:
ISBN: 1428975535

We are pleased to be here today to discuss issues facing the Department of Defense (DOD) in its acquisition of weapon systems, related spare parts, and other goods and services. In response to the many changes that have been witnessed in the defense acquisition environment over the last few years, DOD has begun broad-based changes to its acquisition and contracting processes. However, weapon programs continue to have questionable requirements; unrealistic cost, schedule, and performance estimates; and strategies that begin production before adequate testing has been completed. This discussion of acquisition issues is well-timed, as DOD implements plans to increase its procurement budget to $60 billion in fiscal year 2001-a 40-percent increase over last fiscal year's budget. My testimony focuses on a different approach to improving weapon acquisition outcomes based on best commercial practices and an understanding of the acquisition culture. My testimony also includes some observations on (1) DOD'S management of its acquisition workforce and organization, (2) DOD'S experience with commercial pricing of spare parts, (3) the effectiveness of DOD'S mentor-protege pilot program, and (4) federal agencies' use of multiple award task- and delivery-order contracts.

Space and Missile Defense Acquisitions: Periodic Assessment Needed to Correct Parts Quality Problems in Major Programs

Space and Missile Defense Acquisitions: Periodic Assessment Needed to Correct Parts Quality Problems in Major Programs
Author: Cristina T. Chaplain
Publisher: DIANE Publishing
Total Pages: 63
Release: 2011
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1437989438

Quality is key to success in U.S. space and missile defense programs, but quality problems exist that have endangered entire missions along with less-visible problems leading to unnecessary repair, scrap, rework, and stoppage; long delays; and millions in cost growth. Tthis report examined quality problems related to parts and manufacturing processes and materials across the DoD and NASA. The report assessed: (1) the extent to which parts quality problems affect those agencies' space and missile defense programs; (2) causes of any problems; and (3) initiatives to prevent, detect, and mitigate parts quality problems. Includes recommendations. Charts and tables. This is a print on demand edition of an important, hard-to-find publication.

Optimizing U.S. Air Force and Department of Defense Review of Air Force Acquisition Programs

Optimizing U.S. Air Force and Department of Defense Review of Air Force Acquisition Programs
Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
Total Pages: 122
Release: 2009-07-29
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 030913918X

The Department of Defense (DOD) spends over $300 billion each year to develop, produce, field and sustain weapons systems (the U.S. Air Force over $100 billion per year). DOD and Air Force acquisitions programs often experience large cost overruns and schedule delays leading to a loss in confidence in the defense acquisition system and the people who work in it. Part of the DOD and Air Force response to these problems has been to increase the number of program and technical reviews that acquisition programs must undergo. This book looks specifically at the reviews that U.S. Air Force acquisition programs are required to undergo and poses a key question: Can changes in the number, content, or sequence of reviews help Air Force program managers more successfully execute their programs? This book concludes that, unless they do it better than they are now, Air Force and DOD attempts to address poor acquisition program performance with additional reviews will fail. This book makes five recommendations that together form a gold standard for conduct of reviews and if implemented and rigorously managed by Air Force and DOD acquisition executives can increase review effectiveness and efficiency. The bottom line is to help program managers successfully execute their programs.

Owning the Technical Baseline for Acquisition Programs in the U.S. Air Force

Owning the Technical Baseline for Acquisition Programs in the U.S. Air Force
Author: National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
Publisher: National Academies Press
Total Pages: 83
Release: 2016-10-25
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 0309449065

While there are examples of successful weapon systems acquisition programs within the U.S. Air Force (USAF), many of the programs are still incurring cost growth, schedule delays, and performance problems. The USAF now faces serious challenges in acquiring and maintaining its weapons systems as it strives to maintain its current programs; add new capabilities to counter evolving threats; and reduce its overall program expenditures. Owning the technical baseline is a critical component of the Air Force's ability to regain and maintain acquisition excellence. Owning the technical baseline allows the government acquisition team to manage and respond knowledgeably and effectively to systems development, operations, and execution, thereby avoiding technical and other programmatic barriers to mission success. Additionally, owning the technical baseline ensures that government personnel understand the user requirements, why a particular design and its various features have been selected over competing designs, and what the options are to pursue alternative paths to the final product given unanticipated cost, schedule, and performance challenges. Owning the Technical Baseline for Acquisition Programs in the U.S. Air Force discusses the strategic value to the Air Force of owning the technical baseline and the risk of not owning it and highlights key aspects of how agencies other than the Air Force own the technical baseline for their acquisition programs. This report identifies specific barriers to owning the technical baseline for the Air Force and makes recommendations to help guide the Air Force in overcoming those barriers.

Defense Acquisitions: Assessments of Selected Weapon Programs

Defense Acquisitions: Assessments of Selected Weapon Programs
Author:
Publisher:
Total Pages: 191
Release: 2009
Genre:
ISBN:

This is GAO's seventh annual assessment of selected Department of Defense (DoD) weapon programs. The report examines how well DoD is planning and executing its weapon acquisition programs, an area that has been on GAO's high-risk list since 1990. This year's report is in response to the mandate in the joint explanatory statement to the Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act, 2009. The report includes the following: (1) an analysis of the overall performance of DoD's 2008 portfolio of 96 major defense acquisition programs and a comparison to the portfolio performance at two other points in time -- 5 years ago and 1 year ago; (2) an analysis of current cost and schedule outcomes and knowledge attained by key junctures in the acquisition process for a subset of 47 weapon programs -- primarily in development -- from the 2008 portfolio; (3) data on other factors that could impact program stability; and (4) an update on changes in DoD's acquisition policies. To conduct its assessment, GAO analyzed cost, schedule, and quantity data from DoD's Selected Acquisition Reports for the programs in DoD's 2003, 2007, and 2008 portfolios. GAO also collected data from program offices on technology, design, and manufacturing knowledge, as well as on other factors that might affect program stability. GAO analyzed this data and compiled one- or two-page assessments of 67 weapon programs.