US Special Operations Command UNCLASSIFIED The overall classification of this briefing is: UNCLASSIFIED UNCLASSIFIED UNCLASSIFIED 1 SOCOM Acquisition Perspective to NDIA James W. Cluck Acquisition Executive & Director, Center for Acquisition and Logistics (SOAL) 20 March 2009

UNCLASSIFIED UNCLASSIFIED Agenda Mission SOF Acquisition Special Operations Peculiar State of Acquisition SOFIC 2

UNCLASSIFIED UNCLASSIFIED 3 Provide Rapid and Focused Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics Support to SOF Warfighters USSOCOM Acquisition Mission

UNCLASSIFIED UNCLASSIFIED SOAL Manpower and Acquisition Funding Trends 4

UNCLASSIFIED UNCLASSIFIED 5 What Makes SOF Acquisition Different What Makes SOF Acquisition Different 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

UNCLASSIFIED UNCLASSIFIED Milestone Decision Authorities Internal vs. External 6 * 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

UNCLASSIFIED UNCLASSIFIED State of Acquisition Crossroads or Crisis? Requirements Oversight What’s Changed Significant Challenges Keys to Success 7

UNCLASSIFIED UNCLASSIFIED 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 8

UNCLASSIFIED UNCLASSIFIED 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 9

UNCLASSIFIED UNCLASSIFIED 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. 10

UNCLASSIFIED UNCLASSIFIED 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 I 2 Solutions 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 11

UNCLASSIFIED UNCLASSIFIED 12 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 vs Requirements 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 Keys to Success

UNCLASSIFIED UNCLASSIFIED 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: 13

UNCLASSIFIED UNCLASSIFIED 14 QUESTIONS