311 Week 1 Forum

Response question 1

Contracting assists in accurately facilitating procurement of items through the acquisition process. Acquisition is explained as a procedure of transforming individuals’ needs into products, services, and the information gathered is required to fulfill their requirements (Mark, 2000). It pertains scheming, planning, contracting, program management and logistics needed to support an enterprise. Therefore, defense acquisition systems emerge to manage the investments in technology and programs to achieve National security. Defensive Acquisition has provided a framework for conducting Public Relation Service assisting program managers and Department of Defense in preparing the decision. Department of Defense restructures the acquisition technology to improve the military speed (Garamone, 2017). The DoD is aiming in recognition of acquisitions as evidenced by commercials specifications and standards. Thus, this indicates new acquisition knowledge is required to improve the pace and scope of acquisition.

 

Defense Department also facilitates planning, programming, budgeting, and Execution of system. Defense Operations enhances the workplace of a subordinate official for the defense of the accession, logistics, and technology that boost decision-making process for the acquisition program through quality engineering and program assessment support. As a result, it promotes successful operation of the program through recommendations of the independent actions of the government program management. It also aims in Provision of the ways of solving disputes, whereby there are disagreements, and it is beyond the program manager and the joint program operations, the international strategy will be adopted as it focuses on promoting allied weapons and IT capability through multi-national agreements. For example, my unit had a laptop battle going on between Dell and HP and who was going to be awarded the contract. Well since my unit had always sole source to Dell, because their systems were compatible with our network infrastructure and updates the Contracting Officer Representative was able to get it approved. On this last contract that was submitted one of the Acquisition Team members took it upon themselves to take out some of the required specifications; which allowed HP to currently be awarded the contract for which I was told does not come with an extended warranty.

Question 2

Contracting is important to the acquisition phase due to the basic fact, contracting officers are the only people who lawfully can obligate the government to expend funds for supplies and services.  Contract specialists are business advisors to our customers and a focal point for any type of communication when going through the acquisition process.  We are the ones who take the requirements, perform market research in conjunction with out customer, solicit for business, evaluate proposals, and award contracts to purchase the requirements.  We are a professional grade of personnel who must be able adhere to laws and regulations and have the upmost standards when conducting business. With our authority to obligate the government, we have a "power" that no one else has.  It allows us to not let apparent authority sway our decisions or make the decisions we are supposed to be doing as contracting officers.  We are also the only entity that can negotiate for the government when it comes to contracts.    It is important to narrow the field down because with numerous people binding the government not understanding or knowing the law or procedures to follow, it could cause a lot of obligations and expenditures of the taxpayer’s money that in turn the government has to answer for.  That is why contracting officers are the only ones who can obligate the government.  When asked about what contracting is, I basically say, "if you have, we bought it."  There are many facets to the buying process, but in the end contracting makes it happen and we deliver.  Contracting services, the government in ways no other section can so that others can do their job better.

Question 3

I think contracting definitely goes hand and hand with the acquisition process. Contracting is essentially another part of the whole acquisition process in general almost like step 1A a sub-step. The acquisition process is used to accurately regulate programs progress and assists in proper milestone achievements in Department of Defense (DoD) Programs. These programs are out sourced a majority of the time to major Department of Defense contracting companies that take lead on these programs. The DoD uses program managers to ensure that milestones are continued to be met and that the acquisition process is still adhered to during the contracts lifecycle. Basically, when we want something new, we ID our priorities and needs then we get a contacting company, and then send in through the acquisition process.

A major acquisition and contracting project that I experienced, was that of the Stryker wheeled vehicle that the U.S Army wanted to use as its new all-terrain fighting vehicle. Like all acquisition processes, the U.S Army had to decide the capabilities, equipment, and what exactly met the criteria for the initial phase of the acquisition phase. Then the contract competition ensued, with every major Department of Defense company competing with each other to secure this multi-million-dollar defense contract. The contract was finally awarded to General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) where they continued the acquisition process through. The acquisition process is made to work hand in hand with the contracting company, program managers, and contracting officers. GDLS is still supporting the Styker Vehicle to this day.