Strategies to Strengthen the U.S. Navy’s Fleet Through Contracting and Acquisition Reforms

The U.S. Navy is looking to strengthen its fleet by focusing on improving its contracting processes. In a recent analysis, it was highlighted that there are four key areas where changes can be made to accelerate the delivery of fleet capability and capacity.

Firstly, tailoring flow-down requirements to make it more attractive for nontraditional defense companies to operate within the defense market was suggested. By granting contracting officers and prime contractors more leeway in choosing when and to which subcontractors such conditions should flow downstream, it could incentivize market investment and encourage wider participation within the defense-industrial base.

Secondly, codifying pathways to more consistently transition capabilities procured using unconventional acquisition authorities was recommended. This would help ensure that nontraditional companies and their products or services are not left stranded after the prototyping phase ends, by providing clear guidance on transitioning OTA efforts to programs of record.

Thirdly, automating parts of the contracting process to recognize efficiencies and create speed without sacrificing thoroughness or quality was proposed. By leveraging artificial intelligence and machine learning, contracting officers could free up bandwidth to focus on the overall process, reduce errors, and streamline delivery timelines.

Lastly, aligning contracting and acquisition culture was highlighted as a key area for improvement. By arming contracting officers with new tools and authoring a contracting guidebook, the cultural disconnect between acquisition and contracting governance could be repaired, ultimately enhancing the Navy’s contracting agility.

These proposed changes aim to address the challenges faced by the Navy in contracting for supplies and services, ultimately contributing to the goal of strengthening the U.S. Navy’s fleet. By implementing these recommendations, the Navy could see improvements in efficiency, effectiveness, and overall fleet readiness.