ACQUISITION FOR PROFESSIONALS

December 7-8, 2009

Capitol Hill Club
Washington, DC

Individuals who have been involved in the acquisition process, in the field or headquarters, need to be aware of the changing fiscal and strategic environment in which these decisions are made; the impact of the recently passed McCain-Levin acquisition reform bill; the changing role of private contractors; and the impact of procurement decisions on the country’s workforce.

Day One will focus on the fiscal and strategic environments.  It will analyze the president’s National Security Strategy, the Department of Defense’s FY2010 budget proposal, and the Quadrennial Defense Review, and show how these are impacted by the short- and long-term threats to our security.  It will include a discussion of the threat from violent extremists (Al-Qaeda), rogue regimes (North Korea and Iran), weak and failing states (Pakistan), and rising powers (China and India), as well as an analysis of the projected national deficit on defense spending.

Day Two will focus on the internal dynamics impacting the process. It will include a discussion of current and past efforts to reform the process; the different perspectives of the services, Combatant Commanders, military and civilians; the balance between the military’s current and future needs; the impact of the Congress; and an analysis of the rising costs of personnel and O&M on current and future defense investment.

SEMINAR TOPICS

DAY ONE: 
Morning (3 sessions)  
A.  How to decide what to buy?
                        1.  National Security Strategy
                        2.  National Military Strategy
                        3.  Quadrennial Defense Review

Afternoon (3 sessions)
B.  Threat Environment 
                        1.  Violent Extremists (Al Qaeda)
                             Weak and Failing States (Pakistan)
                        2.  Rogue Regimes (North Korea and Iran)
                        3.  Rising Powers (India, China)
DAY TWO:
Morning (3 sessions)  
C.  Deciding What to Buy
                        1.  Role of DARPA;
                             OSD – Acquisition Czar
                                         OTTE
                                         New Cost Czar
                        2.  Role of Combatant Commands
                             Role of Services
                        3.  Role of Congress

Afternoon (3 sessions)
            D.  How to Buy
                        1.  Cost Estimates
                             Nunn-McCurdy Breach
                        2.  Fixed Price Contracts
                             Cost Plus
                             Multi-year Procurement
                        3.  Role of Industry
                             Lobbying Congress
                             Lobbying Services
                             Lack of competition
                             Industrial Base
                             Overseeing Contracts

MODERATOR

LAWRENCE J. KORB is a Senior Fellow and Director of Military Strategy at the Center for American Progress.  Prior to joining the Center, he was Senior Fellow and Director of National Security Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations.  Dr. Korb has also served as Director of the Center for Public Policy Education and Senior Fellow in Foreign Policy Studies at Brookings Institution, Dean of the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs at the University of Pittsburgh, Vice-President of Corporate Operations at Raytheon Company, and Director of Defense Studies at the American Enterprise Institute.  From 1981-1985, he served as Assistant Secretary of Defense (Manpower, Reserve Affairs, Installations and Logistics) and was responsible for 70% of the Defense budget.  Dr. Korb has held academic positions at the U.S. Naval War College, U.S. Coast Guard Academy, University of Dayton, and Georgetown University.  He is the author of several books and publications including, The Joint Chiefs of Staff: The First 25 Years and A New National Security Strategy in an Age of Terrorists, Tyrants, and Weapons of Mass Destruction. 

FEE

$1,150 per person

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The seminar will be held at the Capitol Hill Club, 300 First Street, SE, Washington, DC. Continental breakfast and registration will start at 7:30 a.m. The seminar will begin at 8:00 a.m. and conclude at approximately 4:00 p.m. each day.