An Attitudinal Survey of DOD Program Managers, Contracting officers, and Engineers on Better Implementation of Value Engineering Clauses.
Abstract
This study surveyed the attitudes of program managers, contracting officers, and engineers in major acquisition programs toward effective implementation of the Value Engineering (VE) contract clauses. Reported savings from Value Engineering Change Proposals declined by 30 percent from 1969 to 1976. Suggestions in the literature indicated that the attitudes of government personnel were one factor in the failure of VE to produce anticipated cost savings. In terms of advantages, the respondents agreed slightly that the VE clauses remove costly requirements and produce associated benefits such as improved reliability. Under disadvantages, the respondents agreed slightly that VECP's are difficult to process and administer, that the VE clauses are too complex, that contractors hold back cost savings ideas, and that government and contractor employees do not know enough about VE. The respondents were neutral toward the concepts that approved changes often do not work in practice, and that life cycle costing and other cost control techniques decrease contractor's motivation to submit VECP's. No systematic differences in attitudes were found among the program managers, contracting officers, and engineers groups. Navy personnel perceived less potential for cost savings or associated benefits than either Army or Air Force personnel. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1978
- Accession Number
- ADA060765
Entities
People
- Michael A. Cook
- Michael L. Sheldon
Organizations
- Air Force Institute of Technology