Simplifying Contracts for Commercial Systems. A Case Study of DoD acquisition of Commercial Systems and Components. Volume 1

The Department of Defense is in the process of developing implementing regulations and procedures to integrate the 'buy commercial' policy into the acquisition process. To support the integration of this policy into the process for acquiring commercially developed systems, research was conducted on Air Force contractual actions in acquiring derivatives of commercially developed aircraft and contract logistics support. The report discusses those contract terms, conditions, and statement of work requirements imposed by the Government in the acquisition and support of commercially developed aircraft not found in commercial acquisitions. Research was based primarily on the acquisition and logistics support contracts for the KC-10 Advanced Tanker Cargo Aircraft system. This was followed by analyses of the acquisition and support contracts for the E-4 Advanced Airborne Command Post system and the support contract for the C-9 Aeromedical Evacuation Aircraft system to determine if the impact of the Government-imposed requirements substantiated the findings of the KC-10 research and if not, to identify the differences. To gain further insight into the differences in Government and commercial acquisition practices, an analysis was made of the Air Force acquisition of a major item of ground support equipment for these systems, the Diesel Engine Driven Generator. Prepared in cooperation with Sterling Inst. See also Volume 2, ADA084980.