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Blending The Battlefield: An Analysis Of Using Private Military Companies To Support Military Operations In Iraq, Heather L. Gallup
Blending The Battlefield: An Analysis Of Using Private Military Companies To Support Military Operations In Iraq, Heather L. Gallup
Theses and Dissertations
Over the past fifteen years, the Department of Defense has experienced an increasing trend in the outsourcing and privatization of military operations. Key factors contributing to the growth include declines in military budgets, reductions in active duty end-strength, increases in operational deployments, advancements in weapon system technology, and evolutions in the nature of warfare. However, the continued escalation of incorporating Private Military Companies (PMCs) on the battlefield creates unique challenges. The purpose of this exploratory and descriptive research is to identify utilization rates, describe the types of roles being fulfilled, and synthesize the challenges of augmenting military manpower with civilian …
Balancing Government Risks With Contractor Incentives In Performance-Based Logistics Contracts, Christopher P. Gardner
Balancing Government Risks With Contractor Incentives In Performance-Based Logistics Contracts, Christopher P. Gardner
Theses and Dissertations
The use of Performance-Based Logistics (PBL) as a sustainment strategy for weapon systems has been mandated by the Department of Defense (DoD) and largely embraced by acquisition and contracting professionals in both government and private industry. Despite its apparent success, there is an inherent conflict that DoD implementers of PBL often face: the PBL goal of developing long-term partnerships that encourage investment from commercial partners is best achieved through lengthy, guaranteed contracts—but such contracts increase the DoD’s risk in an environment that is intended to transfer more risk to the contractor. This research examines issues associated with the type and …
The Analysis Of Air Force Institute Of Technology Theses Related To Contracting, Thomas M. Clohessy
The Analysis Of Air Force Institute Of Technology Theses Related To Contracting, Thomas M. Clohessy
Theses and Dissertations
At the end of March 2005, the final students will graduate from the Air Force Institute of Technology's (AFIT) contracting graduate degree curricula -- consisting at various times of both contract management and strategic purchasing course sequences -- which have been relocated to the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS). With the end of the contracting graduate programs at AFIT, it is appropriate to ask what contributions AFIT theses have made to the contracting community. Scholars (e.g., Das and Hanfield, 1997) have argued that thesis and dissertation research is one useful method of determining contributions to the field. The author conducted a …
Performance Based Service Acquisition (Pbsa): A Dynamic Look At Pbsa In The Air Force, Fred J. Lacey Iv
Performance Based Service Acquisition (Pbsa): A Dynamic Look At Pbsa In The Air Force, Fred J. Lacey Iv
Theses and Dissertations
Federal procurement has typically focused much of its efforts on the acquisition of products, with acquisition of services not being held in as high of regard. However, recent changes have required the Department of Defense and the US Air Force (USAF) to increase spending on services. This significant increase in spending on services suggests a need to ensure acquisition professionals are prepared to apply sound business judgment to Performance Based Service Acquisition (PBSA) strategies. PBSA involves acquisition strategies, methods, and techniques that describe and communicate measurable outcomes rather than direct performance processes. The Secretary of Defense, in order to ensure …
Going To War With Defense Contractors: A Case Study Analysis Of Battlefield Acquisition, Ryan M. Novak
Going To War With Defense Contractors: A Case Study Analysis Of Battlefield Acquisition, Ryan M. Novak
Theses and Dissertations
The escalating use of contractors on the battlefield in highly critical operational areas is a trend that is increasing across the DoD. Contractors have a vital role supporting CONUS missions, but they are also on the battlefield in defense of our nation, supporting the warfighter and their weapon systems. As the use of contractors on the battlefield continues to gain favor within the DoD, and as contractor s roles continue to expand and become more critical, it is imperative to improve the current way that the DoD, and specifically Air Force acquisition professionals, procure such services. This research analyzes inputs …
Measuring Small Business Participation In Air Force Contracting: The Impact Of Acquisition Reform, William C. Pike
Measuring Small Business Participation In Air Force Contracting: The Impact Of Acquisition Reform, William C. Pike
Theses and Dissertations
Congress has mandated the Air Force to reform and streamline its acquisition procedures while promoting participation by small business contractors. Reports on the federal government as a whole suggest that the acquisition reforms have had a negative effect on small business participation, with a declining number of small businesses receiving contract awards. A causal regression model is used to determine that the Air Force has actually increased the number of small businesses receiving contract awards over the past thirteen years and has maintained a steady stream of new small businesses into that group. Variables are tested to determine their effect …
Core Competency Identification: Prescriptions For Air Force Major Commands To Follow, Richard E. Wells
Core Competency Identification: Prescriptions For Air Force Major Commands To Follow, Richard E. Wells
Theses and Dissertations
The purpose of this research was to produce a set of prescriptions that will facilitate the process of identifying a USAF command's set of core competencies. Theoretical approaches to outsourcing show the need for an organization to identify its own set of core competencies; however, there seems to be no set way for this identification process to be accomplished. This research will provide critical information to approach this important task. USAF commands that can identify their core competencies (and subsequently act on them) will become leaders in the Department of Defense (DoD), with the potential to reshape the DoD through …
An Analysis Of The Acquisition Process For Simplified Acquisition Of Base Engineering Requirements (Saber) Contracts And Its Potential Impact On Contractor Performance, Brian J. Heaps
Theses and Dissertations
The Simplified Acquisition of Base Engineering Requirements (SABER) contract's main purpose is to expedite contract award of civil engineer requirements through the issuance of individual delivery orders. The contract contains a collection of detailed task specifications that include most types of real property maintenance, repair, and construction work. The Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition's Operational Contracting Division (SAF/AQCO) identified a number of failed SABER contracts. The problem statement designed for this research effort was: There are a large number of SABER contractors that are failing during the performance period on their SABER contracts. SAF/AQCO is trying to …