The Yoder Three-tier Model for Optimal Planning and Execution of Contingency Contracting

MBA Professional ReportAcquisition research (Graduate School of Business & Public Policy)Contingency efforts in Iraq, Afghanistan, and several other countries in the last few years have been subjected to close scrutiny and critique. Contingency Contracting operations are increasingly the major source of support and provisioning in forward theaters, especially in light of reductions in organic (non-contracted) support capabilities. Recently, theater combatant commanders have come to rely on contingency contracting officers to support coalition forces, and concurrently, to achieve a transformation of the economic landscape essential for achieving theater objectives. But, critics of recent operations cite deficiencies in DoD's ability to effectively and efficiently conduct a coordinated contracting support effort that integrates the combatant commander's theater objectives with the myriad stakeholders deemed essential for success. Can we, the military, achieve better results? The author contends that with proper understanding of integrated planning and execution, contingency contracting operations can, and will, provide significant leverage for achieving the combatant commander's objectives.Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited

Engagement versus disengagement: how structural & commercially-based regulatory changes have increased government risks in Federal Acquisitions

Acquisition research (Graduate School of Business & Public Policy)The purpose of this working paper is to highlight the challenges and associated risks Federal contracting officers face while conducting business under commerciallybased contracting legislation and, with concurrent reductions in the acquisition workforce, the potential risks these changes place on the taxpayer. It is the researcher's contention that the past decade-long wave of acquisition work-force reductions and commercially-inspired acquisition reforms has created a responsive and progressive business environment. Yet, it has done so at the cost of the Federal government becoming less engaged. In fact, the government has become disengaged in key oversight and management functions. This disengagement may be exposing Federal contracting officers and taxpayers to greater financial, programmatic and performance risks. The working paper will highlight recent legislation and its impact on determining fair and reasonable pricing for commercial item acquisitions and highlight workforce changes which negatively impact regulatory oversight and management capability, and will make specific recommendations for improving performance and reducing risks in Federal acquisitions and contracting.Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited

Commercial style market research for Navy activities

This thesis investigates the nature and functions of commercial style market research. It examines the issues and barriers which face Navy contracting personnel should commercial style market research be assimilated and employed at contracting activities. It specifically considers an acquisition environment characterized by a downsized infrastructure and rapidly changing technological environment. Commercial entities have been successfully using market research to make better qualified business decisions. Can commercial style market research be successfully applied to Navy acquisition activities? The conclusion is that Navy activities can and should use the successful market research practices of commercial business. However, the Navy manager must be cognizant of the potential barriers to effective and efficient market research which face the Navy as well as the commercial manager. The barriers must be overcome and/or their effects mitigated in order to successfully employ market research. This thesis explores barriers and possible solutions.http://archive.org/details/commercialstylem1094539765Lieutenant, United States NAvyApproved for public release; distribution is unlimited