Today’s Acquisition News Friday, November 21, 2008

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[1] What’s New in Acquisition, November 13, 2008). The hearing’s purpose was to address DoD’s reasons for not obligating the full amount of money authorized by section 134 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009 (Public Law 110-417). “Section 134 authorizes the obligation of up to $140 million to sustain F-22 long-lead component production from November until March, to preclude program cost growth, and to avoid prejudicing a decision of the incoming administration on whether to procure additional F-22 aircraft, beyond the 183 now planned,” noted subcommittee chairman Neil Abercrombie (D-HI). In response, John Young, under secretary of defense for acquisition, technology, and logistics, argued that it is inappropriate to spend the full amount for aircraft that the incoming administration might decide not to purchase. “The Department believes that spending more money than is required to provide the warfighters the correct mix of capability and quantity of aircraft is not the best use of tax dollars,” he remarked. Young also said that costs will not increase significantly for additional F-22A aircraft if the remainder of the $140 million is obligated in January 2009; however, he urged President-elect Barack Obama to decide immediately upon taking office whether to proceed with acquisition of additional F-22s, or risk increased costs because of production line delays. hID-14000 [2] Obama urged to make quick decision on fighter jet (GovExec, November 20, 2008 ) newsID-19241 [3] Lawmakers hit Pentagon weapons chief for not buying enough F-22s (The Hill, November 19, 2008 ) newsID-19242 [4] Hearing Information (House Armed Services Committee, November 19, 2008 )newsID-19243

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[5] Department of Defense (DoD) Deployment of Purchase Card On-line System (PCOLS) Capability (DPAPSS, November 19, 2008 ) newsID-19238

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[6] What’s New In Acquisition, September 18, 2007). A State Department official said he believes the Bush administration and the Iraqi government would negotiate a separate agreement that would allow private security guards protecting U.S. diplomats to use “appropriate defensive force.” DoD officials noted that while some contractors had expressed concern about the agreement, none had yet indicated they would terminate existing contracts. The officials added that contractors are subject to local jurisdictions in all other areas of the world, including Afghanistan. hID-13996 [7] US contractors lose immunity in Iraq security deal (Federal News Radio, November 20, 2008 ) newsID-19236

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[8] Contract Management: DoD Developed Draft Guidance for Operational Contract Support but Has Not Met All Legislative Requirements(GAO, November 20, 2008 ) newsID-19235

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[9] Mandate on the Department of Defense’s Contract Award Procedures for Directed Spending Items (GAO, November 19, 2008 ) newsID-19231

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[10] Services plan to buy electric cars (Federal Times, November 20, 2008 ) newsID-19226

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