DMAG Tiger Team Discussions July 11, 2013 December 9, 2013 CTO/FCT Support DMAG Tiger Team Discussions July 11, 2013 December 9, 2013
To ensure the long term prosperity of the FCT program Objective To ensure the long term prosperity of the FCT program
Goals Formulate a short message that DMAG members can use as needed Formulate a longer message that DMAG members can communicate to interested US target groups and individuals. Half a page of text envisioned.
Key areas of discussion Target groups Message Tie in to Better Buying Power 2.0
Target groups DoD Congress and staffers Lobbyists Consultants Think Tanks Industry associations US Industry
Better Buying Power 2.0 Affordable programs/realistic expectations Requirements/acquisition trade offs Life Cycle Cost control Product innovation, fixed price, best value Competition is key Under Sec AT&L Frank Kendall, May 23, 2013
A thriving FCT program enables the United States to affordably meet its defense technology requirements The Foreign Comparative Testing (FCT) program has recently been under budgetary pressure such that its funding has been drastically reduced from around 30 million to well below 15 million dollars per year. The FCT program is a unique channel that enables U.S. Armed Services to identify the world’s most innovative companies which can provide technology for testing and acquisition by the US Government. The Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics, Mr. Frank Kendall, has outlined his vision of how to reform the US Acquisition system in Better Buying Power 2.0. The ideas discussed are, in our view, perfectly aligned with the FCT program. Some Better Buying Power 2.0 themes include how to deal with program affordability versus realistic expectations, requirements and acquisition trade offs, life cycle cost control, product innovation, fixed price, best value, and competition. Global companies have much to offer in all these areas. The US Department of Defense should strive for a deeper integration and inclusion of international technologies and solutions in future acquisition programs for the benefit of the warfighter and the US tax payer. A solid start would be to expand the FCT program rather than dismantling it. The Foreign Comparative Testing program has been very valuable for the US Armed Forces. 7.6 billion dollars have been saved over 30 years in expenditures and acquisition cost.