Commercial-Off-the-Shelf (COTS): Doing It Right

In the twenty-first century, the United States will likely encounter a wide-range of threats, such as those posed by terrorists, rogue states and other non-state actors—all of whom are taking full advantage of globally available, high-tech commercial systems (e.g., from night vision devices, through secure cell phones, to satellite photos). At the same time, technology is changing more rapidly than ever before, and the DoD must learn to embrace the fact that it no longer holds a monopoly on all military-relevant technology (many of the information-intensive innovations result from commercial activities). Furthermore, the rising costs of domestic commitments, such as Social Security and Medicare, coupled with the growing budget deficits, will create an inevitable downward pressure on the DoD budget. These changes have created an urgency for transformation within the defense establishment. We believe this necessary defense transformation will be heavily dependent upon the development of net-centric systems-of-systems; the determination to achieve lower costs, faster fielding and better performance; and a realization of the potential benefits of globalization and use of commercial technology. Greater use of Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS) systems and components is one strategy that can enable achieving the required DoD transformation, and help to ensure American military success in the twenty-first century. Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS) is a term for software or hardware that is commercially made and available for sale, lease, or license to the general public and that requires little or no unique government modifications to meet the needs of the procuring agency. Because of their rapid availability, lower costs, and low risk, COTS products must be considered as alternatives to in-house, government-funded developments.Naval Postgraduate School Acquisition Research ProgramThis research was partially sponsored by a grant from The Naval Postgraduate Schoo

Logistics Transformation through Sense-and-Respond Logistics Network

Proceedings Paper (for Acquisition Research Program)Commercial and military logistics continue to evolve from amassing supplies, through supply chain management, to (more recently) sense-and-respond networks. The realization that ''demand-pull'' is inherently more efficient than a ''supply-push'' strategy propels the migration from supply chains to demand networks. Major commercial enterprises in the United States and abroad have already transformed their supply chains to include Sense-and-Respond Logistics (SRL) elements. Likewise, military planners and leaders have recently recognized the need to adopt SRL to transform military logistics to significantly enhance military readiness while reducing costs.Naval Postgraduate School Acquisition Research Progra

Rethinking the Lease vs. Buy Decision

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Competition in Defense Acquisitions

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Think Again – Supplying War: Reappraising Military Logistics and Its Centrality to Strategy and War

This article argues that logistics constrains strategic opportunity while itself being heavily circumscribed by strategic and operational planning. With the academic literature all but ignoring the centrality of logistics to strategy and war, this article argues for a reappraisal of the critical role of military logistics, and posits that the study and conduct of war and strategy are incomplete at best or false at worst when they ignore this crucial component of the art of war. The article conceptualises the logistics–strategy nexus in a novel way, explores its contemporary manifestation in an age of uncertainty, and applies it to a detailed case study of UK operations in Iraq and Afghanistan since 2001

Market-based Government: The Results to Date

Proceedings Paper (for Acquisition Research Program)The federal government spends an incredible amount of money on the purchase of goods and services. In 2003, that spending was $230 billion, or 2% of the United States'' GDP. Although it has always been the stated policy of the United States Government not to produce commercial goods or services that are available on the open market, in practice, the government often duplicates functions the private sector can provide.Naval Postgraduate School Acquisition Research Progra

The Effect of the Nunn-McCurdy Amendment on Unit Cost Growth of Defense Acquisition Projects

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Charting a Course for Change: Acquisition Theory and Practice for a Transforming Defense - Keynote

Proceedings Paper (for Acquisition Research Program)I think this conference is a very important first step in the right direction. Obviously, much more is required in this area to be able to capitalize on what the military clearly need in the coming decades. I think this is very important; very much worth the effort that people are putting in here today. But even more important is what we can do in terms of the future; and I hope all of you will join me in trying to achieve our objective over the coming years.Naval Postgraduate School Acquisition Research Progra

Major Acquisition Issues

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A strategy for defense acquisition research

The following article is taken as an excerpt from the proceedings of the annual Acquisition Research Program. This annual event showcases the research projects funded through the Acquisition Research Program at the Graduate School of Business and Public Policy at the Naval Postgraduate School. Featuring keynote speakers, plenary panels, multiple panel sessions, a student research poster show and social events, the Annual Acquisition Research Symposium offers a candid environment where high-ranking Department of Defense (DoD) officials, industry officials, accomplished faculty and military students are encouraged to collaborate on finding applicable solutions to the challenges facing acquisition policies and processes within the DoD today. By jointly and publicly questioning the norms of industry and academia, the resulting research benefits from myriad perspectives and collaborations which can identify better solutions and practices in acquisition, contract, financial, logistics and program management. For further information regarding the Acquisition Research Program, electronic copies of additional research, or to learn more about becoming a sponsor, please visit our program website at: www.acquisitionresearch.org. For further information on or to register for the next Acquisition Research Symposium during the third week of May, please visit our conference website at: www.researchsymposium.org.Second Annual Acquisition Research Symposiu