FORT BELVOIR, Va. (October 14, 2020)—The Army relies on the industrial base to produce things—like helicopters, tanks and satellites—that it just can’t buy at the local supermarket. The acquisition process can be complex even in the best of times, and it certainly hasn’t gotten any easier during the COVID-19 pandemic. “Earlier this year, the Army and our defense industry colleagues were presented with unique challenges, and we’ve faced (and continue to face) them together,” says Dr. Bruce D. Jette, the Army acquisition executive. “For most people, the U.S. Army doesn’t come readily to mind when they think about the national response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Still, the Army—and the acquisition community in particular—have a critically important role.” The fall issue of Army AL&T magazine takes a closer look at DOD’s relationship with industry, and the Army’s ongoing response to the pandemic. In this issue:
- Innovative firms tell what it’s like—the good and the bad—to work with DOD. See “SMALL BUSINESS PERSPECTIVE.”
- The Army Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office has a streamlined approach to rapid prototyping, which is evolving partnerships with industry. Read about how in “MODERNIZING PARTNERSHIPS.”
- DOD looks to create value and capabilities for the Soldier while helping rebuild the once-dominant U.S. textile industry with automation and innovations in advanced manufacturing. Don’t miss “THREAD LEVEL GREEN.”
- The organic industrial base needs major upgrades if weapons facilities are to keep pace with modernization. See “THE HYPERSONIC AND THE CAVE.”
- What to know and what to avoid about brand name restrictions. Read more in “NOTHING TO SNEEZE AT.”
- The U.S. Army Joint Munitions Command develops a risk model to address vulnerabilities in the munitions supply chain. Learn more in “TARGET: RISK REDUCTION.”
- The Army’s Project Manager for Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS) has a dashboard to readily see its product supply line, helping mitigate risks posed by COVID-19. Take a look at “THE VISIBLE SUPPLY CHAIN.”
- Missile-seeker components illustrate how the Army works with industry to develop unique or exotic materials to fill capability gaps. Read “INDUSTRIAL STRENGTH.”
- Teaming with industry, the Army is helping the Navy adopt its General Fund Enterprise Business System. Don’t miss “GFEBS FINDS ITS SEA LEGS.”
- The U.S. works to strengthen alliances, attract new partners and enhance interoperability through foreign military sales.
- Learn more in “STRENGTH THROUGH COOPERATION.”
- The Army’s xTechSearch program leverages its success to find the innovation the Army needs—and reveals good old American ingenuity. Read about the advances in “FREE, URGENT AND SCARCE.”
Also, remember that Army AL&T is built on contributions from you, the Army Acquisition Workforce and our stakeholders. For more information on how to publish an article in Army AL&T magazine, go to https://asc.army.mil/web/publications/army-alt-submissions/ to see our writers guidelines, upcoming deadlines and themes.
Fall 2020 Army AL&T
FROM THE AAE
A WINNING TEAM
ASA(ALT) and the U.S. defense industry work together
THE INDUSTRIAL BASE
SMALL BUSINSS PERSPECTIVE
Army can do more to help, say innovative firms
MODERNIZING PARTNERSHIPS
The RCCTO’s approach to rapid prototyping is evolving industry partnerships
THREAD LEVEL GREEN
Automation in textile production brings value to the Soldier
THE HYPERSONIC AND THE CAVE
The Army’s depots and arsenals aren’t well suited to handle new and complex weapon systems
NOTHING TO SNEEZE AT
What to know and avoid about brand name restrictions
TARGET: RISK REDUCTION
Risk model will help JMC ensure a steady supply of ammunition
THE VISIBLE SUPPLY CHAIN
Dashboard for Soldier-worn display allows for unified tracking of system components
INDUSTRIAL STRENGTH
Missile-seeker components illustrate how the Army works with industry
GFEBS FINDS ITS SEA LEGS
Army helps Navy transition to GFEBS
STRENGTH THROUGH COOPERATION
U.S. works to strengthen alliances, attract new partners through foreign military sales
FACES OF THE FORCE: GIOVANNI ODDO
A problem solver takes on acquisition
FREE, URGENT AND SCARCE
Army’s xTechSearch program uncovers value and innovation
10 GOOD IDEAS
XTechSearch program uncovers value and innovation
FACES OF THE FORCE: RYAN DEVINE
Engineering acquisition
FEATURE ARTICLES
DIALING UP CRITICAL CARE
NETCCN revolutionizes digital care to patients
REALIGNING FOR A REASON
PEO C3T heightens focus on unified approach to network modernization
A RISKY BUSINESS
The gambler’s approach to risk
DRIVING FUEL CHOICES
Alternative energy sources for vehicles don’t cut it, according to the requirement
LEADING AN AGILE WORKFORCE IN TIMES OF CRISIS
USACE employees a top pandemic priority
CCDC’S ROAD MAP TO MODERNIZING THE ARMY: ASSURED POSITIONING, NAVIGATION AND TIMING
Working to get Soldiers where they need to go
RADIO MODERNIZATION IN ANY LANGUAGE
Soldier helps establish new strategy in Afghanistan
TRAINING FOR SUCCESS
XM808 had a successful and collaborative limited user assessment
USER TESTED
USAMMDA works in theater to ensure warfighter health and safety
FACES OF THE FORCE: LT. COL. CASSANDRA N. FORRESTER
Facing challenges with confidence
CRITICAL THINKING
ON A DIME
Contractors keep step with DOD through pandemic response
COMMENTARY
BEEN THERE, DONE THAT: GETTING TO A WIN
How industry responds to your RFP
INTELLIGENT CONTRACTING
A vision of the future of federal contracting
INDUSTRY INSIGHT: COMMUNICATION SKILLS
Industry helps to keep tactical communications interoperable as Army modernizes
WORKFORCE
FROM THE DACM: TRAINING MARCHES ON
Developing leaders for the future Army Acquisition Workforce doesn’t stop, not even in the face of a pandemic
FACES OF THE FORCE: STAFF SGT. DEBRA STOKES
Show up and try
CAREER NAVIGATOR: MAXIMIZING POTENTIAL
Senior Rater Potential Evaluations help identify future leaders
LESSONS LEARNED FROM A MIDDLEMAN
Liaison officer provides a snapshot of two unified Army network modernization offices
SECURITY COOPERATION GOES PRO
New workforce certification and school build on professional development programs in recently designated acquisition specialty
FACES OF THE FORCE: MAJ. TOM BEYERL
Driving change in the AAW
THEN AND NOW: HELLO HELOS
In 1961, in the heat of the Cold War, the U.S. Army’s view of materiel for transport—air or ground—wasn’t that different from today: The best tech wins.
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Read the full articles in the Fall 2020 issue of Army AL&T magazine.
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