Acquisition key topic at AMC, ASA(AL&T) town hall

By Ms. Liz Adrian (Army Contracting Command)August 6, 2015

Acquisition key topic at AMC, ASA(AL&T) town hall
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL, Ill. -- Heidi Shyu, assistant secretary of the Army for acquisition, logistics and technology, and Gen. Dennis L. Via, commanding general, U.S. Army Materiel Command, held a town hall for AMC and ASA (AL&T) employees personnel during a visit to the Rock Island Arsenal, July 9.

Shyu discussed the overall fiscal environment and how it interplays with increasingly varied requirements. In this politically and fiscally challenging environment, she said the goal is to determine how the U.S. can remain dominant.

"You can't sustain yourself into a superpower," said Shyu.

Shyu and Via discussed the need to modernize weapons systems capabilities and enhance lethality, mobility and survivability. Shyu stated that the primary investments in the coming years will fall within the nuclear, space and cyber arenas -- science and technology are at the top of the priorities pyramid.

Following the leaders' comments, a question and answer session focused mainly on acquisition topics.

One audience member asked about the status of acquisition reform, and Shyu stated that contracting currently operates within a checklist mentality with an associated "mountain of documentation" to chip away at.

"It's incredibly bureaucratic," said Shyu. "Everyone wants to steal our technology. I wish they would steal our acquisition process."

Shyu said at least some of the problem is because there isn't a common vested interest throughout government acquisition and no push for innovative efforts, which can often appear as risky.

"Some things can and do change easily," said Shyu. "Other things are in need of fundamental change. Right now there is no incentive to move fast in contracting."

Shyu said she is sure that the way the Army buys things in the future will be different than in the past. During the past 30 years, stealth technologies and space gave the U.S. an advantage with the ability to detect and counter threats. However, in the coming years, the military will need to be able to look at how threats migrate, and keep tabs on adversaries' electronic and information systems.

Related Links:

Army Contracting Command-Rock Island website