FCT

Abstract

The Foreign Comparative Testing (FCT) program supports the warfighter by leveraging mature technologies and equipment from allied nations and coalition partners to satisfy U.S. defense requirements, thereby accelerating the U.S. acquisition process and lowering development costs. Authorized by Title 10, U.S. Code, Section 2350a(g), the FCT Program is managed by the Office of Secretary of Defense (Rapid Fielding Office), Comparative Testing Office. FCT projects are nominated by the Services and U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) each year. Evaluation processes for project selection include a detailed review to confirm the proposed item addresses valid requirements, a thorough market survey, and development of a viable acquisition strategy. A seven-day Congressional notification of the intent to fund the most meritorious projects is required, prior to the issuance of funds to the Services/USSOCOM for execution. Since the programs inception in 1980, Office of Secretary of Defense (OSD) has initiated 601 projects; 514 projects have been completed to date. Of the 279 evaluations that met the sponsors' requirements, 200 led to procurements worth approximately $9.060 billion in FY 2009 constant year dollars. With an OSD investment of about $1.170 billion, the FCT program has realized an estimated RDT&E cost avoidance of $7.600 billion in FY 2009 constant year dollars. The FCT program is frequently a catalyst for teaming or other business relationships between foreign and U.S. industries; many successful FCT projects result in arrangements for the licensed production of the qualified foreign item in the U.S. Other nations recognize the long-term value of such practices for competing in the U.S. defense market and the resultant strengthening of the "two-way street" in defense procurement. For the U.S., the result often means the creation of jobs and contributions to local economies. To date, companies across 33 states have benefited from FCT projects. This RDT&E Category 6.5 is assigned and identified in this descriptive summary in accordance with existing DoD policy.

Document Details

• Document Type: Project
• Publication Date: Oct 01, 2011
• Source ID: P130_0605130D8Z_6_0400_PB_2011

Tags

Readers

• Defense Acquisition Program Management
• Government Contracting/Procurement.
• International Relations and European Studies

Technology Areas

• Fully Networked C3
• Fully Networked C3 - Command and Control