Special Issue: Better Buying Power (Foreword)
Abstract
Over the past 3 years, a confluence of continuing long wars, recognition of the need to recapitalize/modernize existing military equipment, and rising national debt as a result of the financial crisis, has created a "perfect storm" of competing requirements. DoD has been forced to cancel one unaffordable program after another to live within budget constraints. When taken as a whole, it is obvious that continuing "business as usual" in defense systems acquisition is not sustainable. In fact, upon our analysis, we noted that, as compared to the commercial world, where prices decline over time even as technology improves, our products are steadily increasing in cost, often by wide margins. DoD's productivity, its ability to deliver more without more, is going in the wrong direction when we can least afford it. As a corps of acquisition professionals, our buying strategies must adapt to this new reality and recognize that the costs of our weapon systems must assume a more prominent role in the decision process; our nation's future depends on it. These adjustments in our acquisition approach, tools, techniques, and attitudes are necessary if we are to continue to provide our fighting forces with the material and technical edge required for victory on our terms. It is in this spirit that Dr. Carter released our Better Buying Power (BBP) initiatives and directives in concert with the component acquisition executives (CAEs). In the feedback that we have received, we have heard a number of repeated questions about a few of the initiatives and it has been clear that there are misperceptions about some of the guidance in some cases. The articles in this edition of Defense AT&L magazine will help answer some of those questions. I would like to point out three interpretations of Dr. Carter's guidance that are NOT correct.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2011
- Accession Number
- ADA564353
Entities
People
- Frank Kendall
Organizations
- Office Of The Under Secretary Of Defense