PM CCS derived multiple lessons learned from this effort in the areas of time and cost:
TIME SAVED Developing this TDP and detail specification (DTL) took approximately three years, including the inspection of every drawing for correctness, dimensions, tolerances, notes, clarity and availability of parts and material.
PM CCS contracted an independent third party to build, test and verify that the TDP and DTL were producible.
COST CONSIDERATIONS Using a third party to build, test and verify the TDP before using it saved the government many thousands of dollars. With- out this effort, the production contractor would very likely transfer to the government the cost of:
• Identifying the flaws or errors in the TDP. • Making changes to their equipment and tooling. • Replacing any materiel ordered associated with the erroneous TDP.
• Paying for idle assembly line workers.
Furthermore, this approach eliminated travel costs for govern- ment employees to witness the build and tests. It also eliminated the additional cost for members of the shell integrated product team to update the TDP and DTL.
CONCLUSION Ultimately, the government benefited from this change in acqui- sition strategy. Te TDP gives the government greater control over the end item, which will provide greater flexibility when dealing with launcher changes or future improvements. When using a P Spec, there was always the potential for added cost in qualifying a new design. A government-owned TDP avoids this cost.
Despite the additional time and costs associated with procuring an ammunition item from a TDP, under the right circum- stances, the government can derive much value from owning the design of munitions. It maintains control over their form, fit and function and can use the TDP to promote competition and drive down future procurement and support costs.
For more information, contact the author at
ken.r.schulters.civ@
mail.mil or go to the PM CCS website at
http://www.pica.army. mil/pmccs/
MainSite.html.
MR. KEN R. SCHULTERS is PM CCS’ project officer for nonlethal launched munitions. He holds a B.S. in mechanical engineering from the City University of New York, City College of New York and has more than 15 years of system acquisition experience. He is Level III certified in program management and in systems planning, research, development and engineering.
HANDS-ON LEARNING
Army National Guard LTC Sean Klahn takes a kneeling position with the M203 grenade launcher fitted with the M1006 sponge grenade and ground dispersal rounds, in April as part of a U.S. Army War College elective. The sponge grenade was procured using a TDP, a potentially less costly approach than the previous acquisition strategy that involved the use of a P Spec. (U.S. Army photo)
ASC.ARMY.MIL
45
ACQUISITION
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