Refining Governance to Enable Optimized Space System Sustainment Services (S4) Contracts
Abstract
This paper provides a comprehensive critique and assessment of current Department of Defense (DoD) and Air Force policy and guidance, relative to managing space system sustainment service (S4) contracts. Five most relevant directives, ten most relevant guides, and two most relevant studies are assessed in order to determine governance adequacy, and provide insights into current weaknesses and gaps requiring countermeasures. Key findings of this research paper include 1) the current S4 requirements analysis and definition process is inadequate, 2) there is an unqualified bias for, and overuse of, fixed-price and incentive contracts resulting in negative consequences, 3) current sustainment cost reporting is deficient and non-compliant with policy, 4) past practices of cost-plus-award-fee contracts had many issues, 5) the space sustainment management workforce requires increased knowledge and tools to help realize optimized S4 contracts, 6) Air Force standard sustainment management data systems are poorly integrated and inadequate, 7) data rights management practices in Space and Missile Systems Center (SMC) require better guidance and staffing, and 9) current depot maintenance laws and policies, hinder best value space sustainment.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 01, 2017
- Accession Number
- AD1054572
Entities
People
- Ian B Martin
Organizations
- Air Command and Staff College