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Articles 31 - 60 of 83
Full-Text Articles in Law
A Decision Analysis Tool For The Source Selection Process, John R. Trumm
A Decision Analysis Tool For The Source Selection Process, John R. Trumm
Theses and Dissertations
The source selection process for choosing a contractor does not incorporate a standardized objective decision analysis tool; therefore, the process is extremely subjective and provides little guidance to distinguish between highly competitive contractors. The Air Force Simplified Acquisition of Base Engineer Requirements (SABER) program selects contractors through a Low Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA) source selection process and encounters the same problem of not being able to objectively distinguish between the competing contractors. The LPTA process rank orders the contractors based on price and evaluates the bidders in order until an 'exceptional' contractor is discovered. However, the SABER source selection committee …
Acquisition Program Re-Baselines: Theory And Practice, Troy A. Suarez
Acquisition Program Re-Baselines: Theory And Practice, Troy A. Suarez
Theses and Dissertations
The United States Government requires every program manager in the Department of Defense to document program goals prior to the initiation of an acquisition program. According to the Defense Acquisition Guidebook (2005), an Acquisition Program Baseline (APB) satisfies this requirement. Updating the APB, also referred to as re-baselining, may also be required during the execution of an acquisition program. Although guidance is available for the initial production of a program baseline, scarce information on the guidance and theoretical purpose of a program re-baseline exists. The research presented in this thesis investigated the purpose and effectiveness of program re-baselines through interviews …
Cost As An Independent Variable: A Study Of Its Continued Use By Aeronautical Systems Center's Programs And Their Contractors To Set And Maintain Cost Objectives, Kevin W. Codrington
Cost As An Independent Variable: A Study Of Its Continued Use By Aeronautical Systems Center's Programs And Their Contractors To Set And Maintain Cost Objectives, Kevin W. Codrington
Theses and Dissertations
The purpose of this research was to assess whether Aeronautical System Center's (ASC's) acquisition professionals believe CAIV has enabled their programs and contractors to set and maintain cost objectives. The three major objectives of this thesis are to answer the following questions: First, Do ASC's acquisition professionals believe their programs are setting and maintaining cost objectives? Second, Do ASC's acquisition professionals believe their contractors are setting and maintaining cost objectives? Last, what is the practitioners' perspective of CAIV? This research identified CAIV as being well received by DoD. It also identified that ASC's acquisition professionals believe their programs and contractors …
Predicting The Effects Of Contingency Contracting On Local Economies, Donald J. Wagoner
Predicting The Effects Of Contingency Contracting On Local Economies, Donald J. Wagoner
Theses and Dissertations
In recent years, Air Force personnel have been deployed in support of contingency operations to various points on the globe. The Department of Defense spends millions of dollars to support and sustain forces during contingency operations. The Air Force deploys Contingency Contracting Officers (CCO) to support personnel during these operations. During a contingency operation contracting officers will normally establish short-term contracts as quickly as possible to meet mission requirements with little concern for the local economy. This research concluded that the actions of Air Force CCOs can affect the local economy in a deployed location. By providing contingency contracting officers …
A Market Reaction To Dod Contact Delay, Robert D. Carden
A Market Reaction To Dod Contact Delay, Robert D. Carden
Theses and Dissertations
Development projects are occurring at a faster rate in the civilian world than for the Department of Defense (DoD). In the civilian world, faster development means quicker delivery and sales. In the DoD, quicker product development equates to a more capable warfighter. On average, DoD Acquisition Category One (ACAT I) development projects are approaching a 15 year procurement cycle. In the last three years, acquisition cycle time has grown nearly 20 percent. It turns out that the very companies that have learned to be faster, leaner and more effective in their civilian endeavors do not seem to be functioning the …
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 …
An Eleven Year Retrospective Of The Acquisition Review Journal, Mitchell J. Elder
An Eleven Year Retrospective Of The Acquisition Review Journal, Mitchell J. Elder
Theses and Dissertations
The purpose of this research was to examine the evolution of the Acquisition Review Journal (ARJ) through its first 11 years of publication. Researchers assessed the Defense Acquisition community through a review of ARJ articles. They considered what areas academics and practitioners have explored, and how they have explored them. This review documents such characteristics as areas of study, methods of study, and contributors. Trends are identified and conclusions are drawn as to the contribution of the ARJ to the Defense Acquisition community of practice.
The Use Of Alternative Dispute Resolution Techniques In The United States Air Force Environmental Conflicts, Nanci R. Pigeon
The Use Of Alternative Dispute Resolution Techniques In The United States Air Force Environmental Conflicts, Nanci R. Pigeon
Theses and Dissertations
The use of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) in government disputes is mandated by the Administrative Dispute Resolution Act of 1990. The use of ADR to resolve disputes provides a quick and inexpensive resolution versus litigation. The Air Force currently has a very strong ADR program in place to resolve acquisition and workplace disputes. However, the varied conditions and situations of environmental issues have prevented the Air Force from achieving similar success in this area. This research analyzes the experiences of 26 Environmental Conflict Resolution Practitioners who have resolved environmental disputes using ADR techniques. Content analysis and pattern matching were used …
Small Business Participation In Air Force Procurement: Participation Trends And The Effect Of Acquisition Reform Initiatives On Air Force Procurement Via Selected Contract Types In Selected Product Categories, Douglas E. Leedy
Theses and Dissertations
Small Businesses (SB) have been of recognized important to the Federal Government for many years. This thesis explores the role of SB contractors in Air Force (AF) procurement and the effects of recent acquisition reform (AR) initiatives on their involvement, including their method of involvement (contract type), product areas in which they participate, and possible new areas of measurement. This thesis answers the research and investigative questions in three ways. First, it explores the correlation of AR initiatives to SB participation as a whole, via selected contract types, and in selected product categories via causal regression models. Next, it identifies …
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 …
Development Of Measures Of Success For Corporate Level Air Force Acquisition Initiatives, Carey E. Petit
Development Of Measures Of Success For Corporate Level Air Force Acquisition Initiatives, Carey E. Petit
Theses and Dissertations
The goal of this research is to suggest a framework for developing measures of success for corporate level Air Force acquisition initiatives. Because this research is exploratory, it focuses on only one initiative: the 2002 Lighting Bolt initiative Focus on results, not process. A qualitative method approach was used to suggest a four part framework. Through the review of literature, common steps for creating metrics were established and recurrent characteristics of good metrics were identified. Then interviews were conducted with acquisition practitioners who have experience with the initiative. Finally, those three parts were applied to the initiative as a case …
E-Procurement Success, Jason R. Eaton
E-Procurement Success, Jason R. Eaton
Theses and Dissertations
The Air Force currently funds projects chartered with studying and developing e-Procurement systems. Through review and analysis of various e-Procurement projects, factors attributing to successful implementation of e-Procurement systems will be deduced and provided as a useful guide for federal agencies initiating e-Procurement projects. By identifying critical success factors this research should: 1) improve preimplementation planning, 2) improve spend decisions, and 3) decrease implementation time by eliminating unnecessary steps. This research utilized the current literature to identify specific factors important in the e-Procurement implementation process. Once the factors were determined, a survey was developed to measure the factors in organizations …
An Empirical Analysis Of The Impacts Of Adopting Lean Purchasing And Supplier Management Principles On The Participation Of Small Businesses Within The Department Of Defense Aerospace Industry, James A. Hageman
Theses and Dissertations
The Small Business Act requires that small business concerns be afforded the maximum practicable opportunity to participate in Federal contracts and subcontracts. The contract dollars awarded to small businesses by the Air Force have been on the decline for several years and the Air Force is not meeting its small business award goals. This thesis is a follow-on research effort to that conducted by Mr. Bruce Miller (GAQ-2M) who proposed a connection between the Lean Aerospace Initiative's (LAI) Purchasing and Supplier Management (PSM) principles and declining small business participation. The purpose of this research is to determine if the LAI's …
Selecting Optimal Control Portfolios To Improve Army Aviation Safety, Sarah E. Shelton
Selecting Optimal Control Portfolios To Improve Army Aviation Safety, Sarah E. Shelton
Theses and Dissertations
The Army is concerned with maintaining safe operations in tight of increasing operational demands. The Army Safety Center's goal, as approved by the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisitions and Tech no logy, is to reduce accident severity by 50% in the next decade. The Safety Center chartered the Aviation Safety Investment Strategy Team to evaluate accidents to determine their hazards, or contributing conditions, and their controls, or reduction measures. This study specifically targets the force-modernized aircraft, AH-64 Apache, CH/MH-47 Chinook, OH-58D Kiowa Warrior, and UH-60 Black Hawk. This research takes a look at selecting the best portfolios of controls …
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 …
Professional Contracting Certification: An Examination And Model Development, Robert D. Lorton, Daniel I. Dunn
Professional Contracting Certification: An Examination And Model Development, Robert D. Lorton, Daniel I. Dunn
Theses and Dissertations
This study compared the elements of existing contracting certification programs to an ideal contracting certification model developed by experts. The expert panel responded to an open-ended electronic interview to convey their ideas regarding the individual elements for the model. Input received from the initial interviews was used to develop a survey for the panel members. The surveys were completed and results were recorded and conveyed back to the panel members. This process was repeated until a majority was reached on each individual element of the model, resulting in the ideal certification model. The final model contained elements of both the …
The Impact Of Acquisition Reform And Political-Fiscal Variables On Air Force Gao-Protests Processed, Raymond M. Barben
The Impact Of Acquisition Reform And Political-Fiscal Variables On Air Force Gao-Protests Processed, Raymond M. Barben
Theses and Dissertations
The purpose of this research was to determine whether the Air Force contract protest frequency rises or falls with reforms in the acquisition process, number of AF Contract Actions, number of AF Contract Dollars, AF-GAO Sustain Rate, and/or General Economic Conditions (represented by the U.S. unemployment rate). Specific management questions address the effectiveness of acquisition reform initiatives, a comparison to other external factors, and the identification of AF-GAO Protest trends between 1984 and 1998. The research problem was explored with a thorough literature review and formulation of a multiple regression model. The research identified the need to evaluate the impact …
Implementation Of Earned Value Management Into The Software Acquisition Process, Louis D. Bryan
Implementation Of Earned Value Management Into The Software Acquisition Process, Louis D. Bryan
Theses and Dissertations
The objective of this study was to determine the usefulness of Earned Value Management as a program management tool for the Department of Defense acquisition community. In making this determination, the study sought to uncover information about Earned Value Management from the contractor's perspective as well as the government administrator's perspective. It also sought to determine the usefulness of Earned Value Management during the different phases of the software acquisition process. The study utilized a structured questionnaire to acquire the data necessary for analysis. This data was analyzed to compare perceptions of the government and contractor communities in regard to …
An Exploratory Study Of The Use Of Parametric Estimating In Department Of Defense Contracting, Patricia Blakely, Rudolph Haynesworth
An Exploratory Study Of The Use Of Parametric Estimating In Department Of Defense Contracting, Patricia Blakely, Rudolph Haynesworth
Theses and Dissertations
An initiative to expand the use of parametric estimating in government contracting has enjoyed only marginal success. Some reasons for the slower pace of implementation are the lack of availability of historical data, training, acquisition rules, utility, and accuracy concerns. Those associated with the Parametric Cost Estimating Initiative (PCEI) have a higher perception of parametric utility and accuracy than those not associated with the initiative. The PCEI advocates using parametric techniques in any situation, not just the concept/development phases advocated by most literature. Parametric estimating is a catch all term for several different types of statistically based methodologies, ranging from …
The Effects Of The New Commercial Marketplace Emphasis On United States Air Force Contract Negotiators, Bryan J. Hudgens
The Effects Of The New Commercial Marketplace Emphasis On United States Air Force Contract Negotiators, Bryan J. Hudgens
Theses and Dissertations
Acquisition Reform is changing the way the government contracts for needed goods and services. The commercial marketplace is becoming a significant source not only of goods and services, but also of ideas as to how the government can improve its contracting and acquisition functions. This research investigates the impact of this change of focus (to the commercial marketplace) on the GS-1102 series government contract negotiator. This thesis examines whether two theories-boundary spanning and supply management-can help understand the changing the role of the government contract negotiator. This research effort also reviews a list of commercial practices recommended by experts as …
A Qualitative Analysis Of The Elements Required For The Successful Implementation Of The 'Rolling Down-Select Strategy', Brent A. Kelly
A Qualitative Analysis Of The Elements Required For The Successful Implementation Of The 'Rolling Down-Select Strategy', Brent A. Kelly
Theses and Dissertations
This research explored the elements required for the successful implementation of the 'rolling down-select strategy' Inspired by Lightning Bolt 10, this study investigated five acquisitions which have or are in the process of implementing the 'rolling down-select strategy' The results suggest several elements which appear to contribute to the successful use of the 'rolling down- select strategy' These findings can be used by acquisition planners to aid in determining whether or not the 'rolling down-select strategy' is a viable strategy for their particular acquisition.
Career Development Of Air Force Officers In Contracting: An Examination Of Perception And Understanding, Martin P. Hamlin
Career Development Of Air Force Officers In Contracting: An Examination Of Perception And Understanding, Martin P. Hamlin
Theses and Dissertations
This research considered five factors deemed necessary for supporting career development, including experience, professionalism, expectations, mentoring, and training. The author studied the perceptions of captains in the contracting career field as a means of better understanding the unique career development challenges faced by contracting officers. This study concluded that captains in contracting do not perceive one best career path, nor one best set of professional and technical skills. Career expectations remain high and mentoring activity low, despite recent institutional emphasis directed at both. The value of current required formal training, as rated by contracting officers, seems to be high.
A Comparison Of Contracts Involving The Privatization Of Newark Afb And The Naval Air Warfare Center-Indianapolis, James P. Valley
A Comparison Of Contracts Involving The Privatization Of Newark Afb And The Naval Air Warfare Center-Indianapolis, James P. Valley
Theses and Dissertations
This thesis studies the contract types and incentives involved in the privatization of Newark AFB and the Naval Air Warfare Center-Indianapolis. Newark AFB was slated to close by the Base Realignment and Closure Commission (BRAC) in 1993. The Air Force decided to utilize an Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract, and utilize an award fee to incentivize the contractor. In 1995, the BRAC commission decided to close the Naval Air Warfare Center-Indianapolis. The Navy also decided to utilize an IDIQ contract and has mostly utilized the Fixed Price Level of Effort contract to obtain its requirements. Through interviews and a …
The Impact Of The Packard Commission's Recommendations On Reducing Cost Overruns In Major Defense Acquisition Programs, David A. Searle
The Impact Of The Packard Commission's Recommendations On Reducing Cost Overruns In Major Defense Acquisition Programs, David A. Searle
Theses and Dissertations
This thesis examines the impact that recommendations made by the President's Blue Ribbon Commission on Defense Management, informally known as the Packard Commission, had on reducing cost overruns in major DoD acquisition programs. Cost overruns are a recurring problem in the DoD, and the study of possible effects resulting from the implementation of acquisition reform efforts such as the Packard Commission study could alter this trend. In this era of acquisition reform and downsizing it's important that policy makers understand the effects past and current policies have had and are having on reducing the ever present problem of cost overruns. …
An Examination Of The Past Performance Procedures Used In Air Force Materiel Command Source Selections, Jonathan L. Wright
An Examination Of The Past Performance Procedures Used In Air Force Materiel Command Source Selections, Jonathan L. Wright
Theses and Dissertations
The Air Force Materiel Command's mission is to acquire and maintain Air Force weapon systems. The primary contracting method of acquiring weapon systems uses source selections. A source selection is a means of evaluating proposals in terms of credibility, performance, and cost. Among the different criteria used in this selection, recent emphasis has been placed on the use of past performance. Formal guidelines for collecting and storing past performance information have already been established for acquisitions over $5 million. However, recent policy has directed the use of past performance for all acquisitions over $100,000. Presently, the $100,000 to $5 million …
The Impact Of The Federal Acquisition Streamlining Act Of 1994 On Post-Award Protest Frequency, Eric C. Duncan
The Impact Of The Federal Acquisition Streamlining Act Of 1994 On Post-Award Protest Frequency, Eric C. Duncan
Theses and Dissertations
The protest process is a means of ensuring that the Government conducts procurements in accordance with statutory and regulatory procedures. Additionally, protests serve a vital role in assuring full and open competition in the federal acquisition process. Protests can be costly in many aspects, including the direct costs of taking the action as well as more indirect costs such as program delays and damaged business relationships. The Government recognizes the negative impact protests have on the procurement process and has enacted several laws and regulations in an effort to reduce protest frequency and streamline procurement procedures. While it appears that …
An Examination Of The Effects Of The Federal Acquisition Streamlining Act Of 1994 On The Post-Award Debriefing Process And Bid Protest Frequency, David R. Thomas
An Examination Of The Effects Of The Federal Acquisition Streamlining Act Of 1994 On The Post-Award Debriefing Process And Bid Protest Frequency, David R. Thomas
Theses and Dissertations
One of the major tenets of acquisition reform is that government agencies should be as open and forthcoming as possible in dealing with potential contractors. Increased communication is seen as one of the keys to improve the acquisition process. A widely held belief in government acquisition circles is that many protests have been filed simply because unsuccessful offerors have not been fully informed of the facts surrounding the contract award decision. Acquisition reform legislation has attempted to address this problem by mandating more timely and complete post-award debriefings that provide substantive information concerning the basis for the award. The theory …