Foreign Comparative Testing
Abstract
The Foreign Comparative Testing (FCT) program supports the warfighter by leveraging advanced 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. The FCTs enhance interoperability, facilitate international collaboration, expand opportunities for prototyping and enable more efficient and affordable transition of technologies into acquisition programs of record. Authorized by Title 10, U.S. Code, Section 2350a(g), the FCT program is managed by the Office of Secretary of Defense (OSD), Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (DASD) Rapid Fielding (RF), Comparative Technology Office (CTO). The FCT projects are sponsored 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. Since the program's inception in 1980, OSD has initiated 671 projects; 619 projects have been completed to date. Of the 324 evaluations that met the sponsors' requirements, 252 led to procurements worth approximately $11.000 billion in FY 2013 constant year dollars. With an OSD investment of about $1.170 billion, the FCT Program realized an estimated research, deve lopment, test, and evaluation (RDT&E) cost avoidance of $7.800 billion in FY 2013 constant year dollars. The FCT program is a catalyst for teaming and other business relationships between foreign and U.S. industries. Many successful FCT projects result in 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. The result often means the creation of jobs and contributions to local economies throughout the United States. To date, companies across 33 states benefited from FCT projects.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Project
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2015
- Source ID
- P130_0605130D8Z_6_0400_PB_2015
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