Latest Updates in Defense Contracting: Highlights from the July 2024 Policy Pulse Newsletter
The July 2024 edition of the Policy Pulse Newsletter, published by the Defense Pricing and Contracting (DPC) office, contains a multitude of defense contracting-related updates and insights. MaryKathryn Robinson, Director of Contract Policy, began the newsletter with an update on the successful Contract Policy Symposium conducted in May. This event, a first for DPC, provided an opportunity for contracting professionals to congregate, network, and share information about various contracting policies and practices. Robinson stressed the value of such meetings in encouraging collaboration and networking among the 36,000 contracting professionals who serve worldwide missions. She also announced a significant organizational change: DPC would be renamed Defense price, Contracting, and Acquisition Policy (DPCAP) on July 8, 2024, to reflect its enlarged scope beyond contracting and price.
One of the newsletter's main sections, "Policy Happenings," highlighted numerous updates. The Department of Defense Inspector General (DoDIG) recently revealed inadequacies in Contracting Officer Representative (COR) performance, resulting in revised advice for file review standards. These flaws included inaccurate recording of contractor performance inspections and delayed surveillance reports. In response, DPC released a memorandum on June 17, 2024, to address these difficulties until formal amendments to DoDI 5000.72 and DFARS Procedures, Guidance, and Information (PGI) were completed.
Another notable policy change was the conclusion of the 120-Day Acquisition of Services (AoS) Adaptive Acquisition Framework (AAF) assessment. This review sought to determine whether AoS pathways were achieving their stated goal of enabling personalized acquisition methods. The examination was led by the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, who conducted a detailed analysis of directives, instructions, training materials, and performance measures. The review's results and suggestions will be communicated in an upcoming out-brief, with additional updates expected in the next Policy Pulse.
In addition, the bulletin covered the start of the DoDI 5000.74 rewrite, a comprehensive attempt to revise the Defense Acquisition of Services directive. The rewriting, which began in May, is a joint effort by the Services Acquisition Working Group (SAWG), and it is projected to take 9-12 months to complete, with a draft due by mid-September 2024. The DPC website now features an updated reference guide for domestic preferences and prohibitions on purchasing from non-US sources.
Contingency contracting was also a focus, with a symposium panel addressing new statutory authorities for rapid contracting in disaster operations. The panel discussed legislative ideas aimed at increasing flexibility during combatant commander-directed operations. Class Deviation 2024-O0011 introduced new legislative authority, and Class Deviation 2023-O0003 provided assistance for activities in Ukraine, Taiwan, and Israel. The newsletter also announced a leadership transfer, with Colonel Adam "AC" Coyne returning to the Department of the Air Force and being succeeded by Colonel Steven Green.
Acquisition innovation was heavily featured, with news on the expansion of the contracting awards program to include new categories such as contract creativity, price savings, and business capability. The General Services Administration (GSA) developed the Procurement Co-Pilot tool, which aims to improve market research efficiency by giving users access to government-wide purchasing data. In addition, the Tradewinds Solution Marketplace (TSM), a library of post-competition pitch films for AI/ML, digital, and data analytics solutions, was launched to improve procurement procedures and promote transparency.
The Federal Acquisition Institute (FAI) and the Defense Acquisition University (DAU) introduced a new Supply Chain Resiliency Credential, among other training and development upgrades. In addition, new Cyber-Supply Chain Risk Management courses were introduced, with the goal of improving supply chain cybersecurity. Changes to the DoD Contracting Professional Certification training courses were also disclosed, including a revised delivery schedule that will take effect on October 1, 2024.
Finally, the newsletter featured information about the contracting workforce, including statistics on educational levels, gender, and race in the community. It also mentioned the transfer of three CP personnel to new positions within the Department of Defense. The Policy Pulse Newsletter remains a valuable resource for keeping the defense contracting community up to date on the latest developments, recognitions, and opportunities.