Collection of Operating and Support Data from Weapon System Support Contracts
Abstract
This paper documents the results of an IDA research task concerning the potential collection of operating and support (O&S) cost and performance data for weapon systems placed under a Performance Based Logistics (PBL) contract or other form of Contractor Logistics Support (CLS). Currently, there is limited capability to collect such data when systems are sustained through contractor support. The purpose of the task was to assess the utility and feasibility of collecting cost and performance data without imposing undue burden on contractors and program offices. During the initial period of the research, the IDA study team reviewed current Department of Defense (DoD) policies for weapon system support, and identified key issues that would need to be addressed by any initiative to collect cost and performance data from sustainment contracts. In particular, current policy in the Defense Acquisition Guidebook emphasizes the importance of monitoring contractor cost and performance through capture and tracking of accurate cost and performance data. The Guidebook calls for program offices to establish tailored data reporting to support contract management and facilitate future cost estimating and price analysis. However, a Government Accountability Office review of PBL contracts conducted in 2005 found that, in general, program offices had failed to obtain reliable cost and performance data needed to assess whether PBL strategies were in fact resulting in reduced costs and increased performance. Developing new procedures for obtaining such data became the primary objective of our task. The IDA study team also wanted to learn about actual field-level experiences and perspectives in the implementation and management of contractor support arrangements. We identified a set of eleven current weapon systems with contractor support that were used as case studies for this task.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 2008
- Accession Number
- ADA494856
Entities
People
- Christopher S. Walt
- James A. Myers
- Lance M. Roark
- Robert L. Suchan
- Waynard C. Devers
Organizations
- Institute for Defense Analyses