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) Emerging Capability & Prototyping (EC&P), Comparative Technology Office (CTO). The FCT projects are sponsored by the Department, Services and U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM). 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. 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 end result often translates to the creation of jobs and contributions to local economies throughout the United States. To date, companies across 34 states benefited from FCT projects.

Document Details

• Document Type: Project
• Publication Date: Oct 01, 2016
• Source ID: P130_0605130D8Z_6_0400_PB_2016

Tags

Readers

• Defense Acquisition Program Management
• Defense Technology Research and Development.
• International Relations and European Studies

Technology Areas

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