The upcoming Republican takeover of the Senate opens the door to reforming the Defense Department acquisition process, according to experts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Part of the reason for increased optimism is that Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., is widely considered to be the next chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee. He has also written reports on the need for DoD acquisition reform and called for Congress to pass legislation streamlining the process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Our current defense acquisition system has been plagued with inadequate planning, redundant processes, and mismanagement that have resulted in the wasteful spending of taxpayer dollars and delayed the delivery of needed capability to our service men and women,” McCain said in an Oct. 2 statement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rep. Mac Thornberry, R-Texas, who is also a proponent of DoD acquisition reform, is next in line to become the chair of the House Armed Services Committee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thornberry has also called for defense acquisition reform, saying it should be a top priority for Congress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rob Burton, a former Office of Federal Procurement Policy deputy administrator and current partner at Venable, said the change in committee leadership boosts the chances of reform passing in the next two years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He said McCain has been supportive of DoD acquisition reform in the past and has been critical of how the department purchases goods and services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“I think you are going to see his committee more engaged in acquisition issues and be more supportive of any legislation emanating from the House,” Burton said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Right now there are multiple ideas and proposals that have been floated, but the trick will be to combine the existing proposals and produce legislation that will streamline the process while satisfying all the stakeholders, Burton said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He said Congress will probably look at DoD acquisition reform and what effect it will have on small businesses, while working to make it easier for small businesses to compete in the DoD acquisition landscape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“The challenge is how you do it and how you make it easier for both industry and government,” Burton said. “The procurement process just takes so long, and it’s so cumbersome.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Trey Hodgkins, senior vice president at the Information Technology Alliance for Public Sector, said the recent election means a “shift in tone” for discussions about acquisition reform between Congress and industry to find solutions that will benefit DoD and contractors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“I think there is a strong chance we have reached a critical mass, with interest from the administration, DoD and the Hill,” Hodgkins said. “I think something will happen.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Reform will most likely involve changes in funding levels and the repeal of certain acquisition regulations, he said. But Congress should also focus on how DoD procures commercial items, as well as how it buys IT equipment and services and make the process easier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“There are significant challenges there that diminish competition,” Hodgkins said.\u25a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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