In FY 2008, the DoD obligated over $200 billion on contracts for services, which accounted for more than half of its total contract obligations. Given the serious budget pressures facing the nation, it is critical that DoD obtain value when buying these services. Yet DoD does not always use sound practices when acquiring services, and the dep¿t. lacks sufficient people with the right skills to support its acquisitions. This report addresses challenges facing DoD in measuring the value from and risks associated with its contracting for services. Specifically it focuses on: (1) challenges DoD faces in following sound contract and contracting management practices; and (2) recent actions DoD has taken to improve its management of service contracting. Illustrations.

The nation's ability to project and sustain military power depends on effective logistics. As the DoD'¿¿s largest combat support agency, providing worldwide logistics support in both peacetime and wartime, the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) supplies almost every consumable item the military services need to operate, from Meals Ready-to Eat to jet fuel. This testimony identifies the challenges DoD faces in ensuring DLA gets value for the taxpayer's dollar and obtains quality commodities in a cost-efficient and effective manner. It focuses on sound practices that have been identified regarding obtaining value when contracting and how they can also apply to DLA's acquisition of commodities. Charts and tables.

This report examines DoD logistical support contracts for troop support services in Iraq and Afghanistan administered through the U.S. Army¿s Logistics Civil Augmentation Program (LOGCAP), as well as legislative initiatives which may impact the oversight and management of logistical support contracts for the delivery of troop support services. LOGCAP is an initiative designed to manage the use of civilian contractors that perform services during times of war and other military mobilizations. Contents: (1) Intro.; (2) Major Developments: AF Contract, and Logistics Civil Augmentation Program; (3) Background: Awarding of Defense Contracts; (4) Potential Oversight Issues: Contract Oversight and Admin.; Use of Overhead Fees; Gansler Comm.

This new, single-volume resource provides the most complete guidance available for analyzing the cost and pricing aspects of federal government contracts--so you can propose and negotiate appropriate prices and win contracts. The practical Contract Pricing Reference Guide reference combines five manuals into a single source, covering: Price Analysis Quantitative Techniques for Contract Pricing Cost Analysis Advanced Issues in Contract Pricing And Federal Contract Negotiation Techniques Determine the Proper Pricing to Win Government Business Throughout these pages, you will find highly detailed explanations of how the government evaluates proposals, arrives at pricing, chooses contractors, and awards contracts. With Contract Pricing Reference Guide, you can more confidently: Conduct market research for price analysis Employ proven techniques of quantitative price analysis Propose a fair and appropriate price Confidently engage in sealed bidding Include only what's allowable in the price Employ the most effective, competitive pricing strategies And engage in effective contract negotiations The One-of-a-Kind, Time-Saving Pricing Resource The all-new Contract Pricing Reference Guide provides a road-map for how to set correct pricing and engage in the competitive bidding process. It is a practical business tool to help you acquire government contract business--and it brings all the most valuable pricing information together in an easy-access, single-volume resource that puts everything you need literally right in front of you. No other resource delivers all of this together in one place, making it the most convenient way to obtain the most vital information on pricing government contracts.