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SOCOM Acquisition Perspective to NDIA. James W. Cluck Acquisition Executive & Director, Center for Acquisition and Logistics (SOAL ) 20 March 2009. Agenda. Mission SOF Acquisition Special Operations Peculiar State of Acquisition SOFIC. USSOCOM Acquisition Mission.
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SOCOM Acquisition Perspective to NDIA James W. Cluck Acquisition Executive & Director, Center for Acquisition and Logistics (SOAL) 20 March 2009
Agenda • Mission • SOF Acquisition • Special Operations Peculiar • State of Acquisition • SOFIC
USSOCOM Acquisition Mission Provide Rapid and Focused Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics Support to SOF Warfighters
Acquisition Efforts Are Inherently Joint Formal Requirement at 70-80% Capability Level; Can Evolve the Design to a 100% Capability Short Chain of Command; Small Staff; Only Commander and Acquisition Executive Can Say No Understand and Accept Risk; Aggressively Manage It Maturity of User Is Key in Risk Acceptance What Makes SOF Acquisition Different
Milestone Decision AuthoritiesInternal vs. External * MDA –Other consists of two AT&L ACAT I programs and all programs being tracked that are TBD for the level of MDA at this time ** Non-ACAT Efforts consists of projects that are tracked below ACAT level III
State of Acquisition • Crossroads or Crisis? • Requirements Oversight • What’s Changed • Significant Challenges • Keys to Success
Crossroads or Crisis? • New Perspective Required for New Security Threat Environment • Differentiate Rules for Less than ACAT I/II Programs…Accelerate Requirements to Execution • Implement “Common” Investment Profiles for Modification Programs • Replace Oversight Reporting with Transparency (Data & Decisions) • Encourage Innovation – Not Every Mistake Is Fraud, Waste or Abuse • Emphasize Agility & Best Value Within a Competitive Marketplace
Requirements Oversight • Joint Capabilities Integration and Development System • “The JCIDS Process Has Also Proven to Be Lengthy, Taking an Average Up to 10 Months to Validate a Need.” (GAO Report) • JCS Metrics Show that 10 Months Is on the Low Side • Nominally JCIDS Documents Are 50 Pages • Dispensation by VCJCS for SOF Peculiar Capabilities • JROC Kept Informed…SOCOM Has Approval • Nine Paragraph Format Approved by Component CDR • Process Truths • Increased Oversight Does Not Translate to Better Products • Following Every Rule does not Guarantee Success • Early Failures Must Be Allowed with No Retribution • Every Failure Is Not a Case of Fraud, Waste or Abuse
What’s Changed • Users Actively Evolving TTPs and Expecting Immediate Response in Equipment • Operators Prefer the Portable Solutions • We’re Less Likely to Pursue Long Term Government/Industry Development Projects • Large Percentage of Commercially Developed Aircraft Modified for SOF Use Versus Military Aircraft Modified for SOF Use • Component Resource Sponsoring Role • Through Our Materiel Management Activity We Can Track MFP-11 Equipment from the Time It Is Fielded to Where It Is Currently Located – Worldwide • Forcing Service Common Items To Be Better Defined.
Significant Challenges • High Power, Low Weight, Fuel Efficient and Moderate Cost Engines for Combatant Craft; Lightweight, Multi-Fuel, Submersible, 30 HP Outboard Engines; High-Bandwidth Communications for Small Craft • Looking at the Warrior as a System Instead of Individual Products • Ammo – Require Smokeless, Flash Suppressant with Greater Accuracy and Reliability • There Are Only Two Companies Working Acceptable I2Solutions in the US • Next Generation Multi-Function C4I Devices • Operational Leasing Legislation and Lease Duration Restrictions • Increased Pace of Getting Technology and Capability Forward Outpaces the Training and Support Base • Still Using the Methods and Tools Used to Train the Last Generation • Transition to Capability-Based Budgeting
Keys to Success • Abandon Legacy Systems/Practices • Avoid Death Spiral Phenomenon • Directed Purges Vice Proportional Cuts • Force the Requirements Process to Adapt • Establish Meaningful Metrics Thru Competitive Prototyping • Avoid the SLA Trap on IT Systems • Define the Operational Envelope of Reality vsRequirements • Manage Expectations Vice Projects • Primary Obstacles are Policy & Culture – Not Technology • Portray User/Business Benefit – Not Technical Capability • Cultivate the Workforce • Commitment to Individual Training and Growth • Certification Bonuses and Criteria • Implement Adaptive Hiring Authorities
SOF Industry Conference (SOFIC) 2-4 Jun 09 • Science & Technology Theme Designed to: • Communicate USSOCOM Technology Development Objects • Focus Industry Technology Development Efforts • Keynote Presentations by: • USSOCOM Acquisition Executive – Mr James Cluck • USSOCOM Science Advisor – Mr William Shepherd • USSOCOM Panel Discussions on: • Command Control, Communications & Computers (C4) • Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance (ISR) • Mobility Platforms • SOF Individual Operator • Industry Presentations on Current Technology Efforts • For More Information Go to: www.meetingmattersplus.com/SOFIC09.htm