Defense Acquisitions: Additonal Guidance Needed to Improve Visibility into the Structure and Management of Major Weapon System Subcontracts

Defense Acquisitions: Additonal Guidance Needed to Improve Visibility into the Structure and Management of Major Weapon System Subcontracts PDF Author:
Publisher: DIANE Publishing
ISBN: 1437942202
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 68

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Book Description

Defense Acquisitions: Additonal Guidance Needed to Improve Visibility into the Structure and Management of Major Weapon System Subcontracts

Defense Acquisitions: Additonal Guidance Needed to Improve Visibility into the Structure and Management of Major Weapon System Subcontracts PDF Author:
Publisher: DIANE Publishing
ISBN: 1437942202
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 68

Get Book Here

Book Description


Defense Acquisitions: Additional Guidance Needed to Improve Visibility Into the Structure and Management of Major Weapon System Subcontracts

Defense Acquisitions: Additional Guidance Needed to Improve Visibility Into the Structure and Management of Major Weapon System Subcontracts PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 69

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Book Description
According to some Department of Defense (DOD) and industry experts, consolidation of the defense industry along with a shift in prime-contractor business models has resulted in prime contractors subcontracting more work on the production of weapon systems and concentrating instead on systems integration. Based on some estimates, 60 to 70 percent of work on defense contracts is now done by subcontractors, with certain industries aiming to outsource up to 80 percent of the work. At the same time, there is evidence that subcontractor performance may contribute to cost and schedule delays on weapon system programs. Congress has raised questions about the extent to which primes are awarding subcontracts competitively and about the government's insight into the process prime contractors use for determining what work to make in-house and what work should be bought from subcontractors (make-or-buy decisions).1 In the 2009 Weapon Systems Acquisition Reform Act (WSARA), Congress directed DOD, as part of efforts to improve competition throughout the life cycle of major defense programs, to ensure that contractors? make-or-buy decisions are fair and objective. Specifically, the Secretary of Defense was directed to require prime contractors to give full and fair consideration to qualified sources other than the prime contractor for the development or construction of major subsystems and components of major weapon systems. These actions were to be taken by November 22, 2009. Congress also directed DOD to revise its acquisition regulation regarding organizational conflicts of interest (OCI). In response to both of these requirements, DOD has drafted revisions to its acquisition regulation that are pending final approval.

Defense Acquisitions

Defense Acquisitions PDF Author: United States Government Accountability Office
Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
ISBN: 9781983597244
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 68

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Book Description
DEFENSE ACQUISITIONS: Additional Guidance Needed to Improve Visibility into the Structure and Management of Major Weapon System Subcontracts

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 PDF Author: Cristina T. Chaplain
Publisher: DIANE Publishing
ISBN: 1437989438
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 63

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Book Description
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.

Defense Innovation Handbook

Defense Innovation Handbook PDF Author: Adedeji B. Badiru
Publisher: CRC Press
ISBN: 1351686518
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 415

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Book Description
Innovation is the lifeline of national development. This handbook is a collection of chapters that provide techniques and methodologies for achieving the transfer of defense-targeted science and technology development for general industrial applications. The handbook shows how to translate theory and ideas into practical applications. Experts from national defense institutions, government laboratories, business, and industry contributed chapters to this handbook. The handbook also serves as an archival guide for nations, communities, and businesses expecting to embark upon science and technology transfer to industry. Included are several domestic and international case examples of practical innovation. Since the dawn of history, nations have engrossed themselves in developing new tools, techniques, and methodologies to protect their geographical boundaries. From the crude implements used by prehistorical people to very modern technologies, the end game has been the same. That is, to protect the homeland. Even in times of peace, efforts must be made to develop new machinery, equipment, processes, and devices targeted for the protection of the nation. The emergence of organized nations and structured communities facilitated even more innovative techniques of national defense. Evolution, revolution, and innovation have defined human existence for millennia. From the Ice Age to the Stone Age, the Bronze Age, the Iron Age, and to the modern age, innovation, rudimentary as it may be in many cases, has determined how humans move from one stage to the next. This comprehensive handbook provides a clear guide on the nuances of initiating and actualizing innovation. Both the qualitative and quantitative aspects of innovation are covered in the handbook. Features: Uses a systems framework to zero in on science and technology transfer Focuses on leveraging technical developments in defense organizations for general societal applications Coalesces the transfer strategies collated from various sources and practical applications Represents a world-class diverse collection of science and technology development, utilization, and transfer Highlights a strategy for government, academia, and industry partnerships

The American Warfare State

The American Warfare State PDF Author: Rebecca U. Thorpe
Publisher: University of Chicago Press
ISBN: 022612410X
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 259

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Book Description
How is it that the United States—a country founded on a distrust of standing armies and strong centralized power—came to have the most powerful military in history? Long after World War II and the end of the Cold War, in times of rising national debt and reduced need for high levels of military readiness, why does Congress still continue to support massive defense budgets? In The American Warfare State, Rebecca U. Thorpe argues that there are profound relationships among the size and persistence of the American military complex, the growth in presidential power to launch military actions, and the decline of congressional willingness to check this power. The public costs of military mobilization and war, including the need for conscription and higher tax rates, served as political constraints on warfare for most of American history. But the vast defense industry that emerged from World War II also created new political interests that the framers of the Constitution did not anticipate. Many rural and semirural areas became economically reliant on defense-sector jobs and capital, which gave the legislators representing them powerful incentives to press for ongoing defense spending regardless of national security circumstances or goals. At the same time, the costs of war are now borne overwhelmingly by a minority of soldiers who volunteer to fight, future generations of taxpayers, and foreign populations in whose lands wars often take place. Drawing on an impressive cache of data, Thorpe reveals how this new incentive structure has profoundly reshaped the balance of wartime powers between Congress and the president, resulting in a defense industry perennially poised for war and an executive branch that enjoys unprecedented discretion to take military action.

Defense Acquisitions

Defense Acquisitions PDF Author: Michael J. Sullivan
Publisher: DIANE Publishing
ISBN: 1437907652
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 47

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Book Description
The DoD expects the cost to develop and procure the major weapon systems in its portfolio to total $1.6 trill. With increased competition for funding within DoD and across the fed. gov¿t., effectively managing these acquisitions is critical. Yet DoD programs often experience poor outcomes -- like increased costs and delayed fielding of needed capabilities. In 2006, a report was issued on DoD¿s processes for identifying needs and allocating resources for its weapon system programs. In 2007, it was reported that DoD consistently commits to more programs than it can support. This report assesses DoD¿s funding approach, identifies factors that influence the effectiveness of this approach, and identifies practices that could help improve DoD¿s approach.

Defense Acquisitions: DoD Must Prioritize Its Weapon System Acquisitions and Balance Them with Available Resources

Defense Acquisitions: DoD Must Prioritize Its Weapon System Acquisitions and Balance Them with Available Resources PDF Author: Michael J. Sullivan
Publisher: DIANE Publishing
ISBN: 1437914411
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 19

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Book Description
Since FY 2000, the DoD has significantly increased the number of major defense acquisition programs and its overall investment in them. However, acquisition outcomes have not improved. In most cases, the programs failed to deliver capabilities when promised -- often forcing warfighters to spend additional funds on maintaining legacy systems. This testimony describes the systemic problems that have contributed to poor cost and schedule outcomes in DoD¿s acquisition of major weapon systems; recent actions DoD has taken to address these problems; and steps that Congress and DoD need to take to improve the future performance of DoD¿s major weapon programs. Illustrations.

Defense Acquisitions

Defense Acquisitions PDF Author: Gene L. Dodaro
Publisher: DIANE Publishing
ISBN: 1437914691
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 190

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Book Description
This report examines how well DoD is planning and executing its weapon acquisition programs. The report includes: (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. Includes a one- or two-page assessment of 67 weapon programs. Illustrations.

Defense Acquisitions: DoD Must Balance Its Needs with Available Resources and Follow an Incremental Approach to Acquiring Weapon Systems

Defense Acquisitions: DoD Must Balance Its Needs with Available Resources and Follow an Incremental Approach to Acquiring Weapon Systems PDF Author: Michael J. Sullivan
Publisher: DIANE Publishing
ISBN: 1437915183
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 25

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Book Description
A broad consensus exists that weapon system problems are serious, but efforts at reform have had limited impact. Last year, it was reported that DoD's portfolio of weapon programs experienced cost growth of $295 billion from first estimates, were delayed by an average of 21 months, and delivered fewer quantities and capabilities to the war-fighter than originally planned. This testimony describes the systemic problems that contribute to the cost, schedule, and performance problems in weapon system programs, recent actions that DoD has taken to address these problems, proposed reform legislation that has recently been introduced, and additional steps needed to improve future performance of acquisition programs. Charts and tables.