Rapid Fire 2010-09-10: Inspecting the DOD IG

• Despite overseeing drastic cuts at the Pentagon, Defense Secretary Gates is supported by many US defense industry execs, who do not want to see his early departure.

• Watching the Watchdog: US Sen Grassley (R-IA) issues scathing report [PDF] charging that the DoD Inspector General’s Office is dropping the ball on investigating defense waste and fraud.

• Big War Chest: L-3 says it has $1 billion in cash to spend on acquisitions targeted at intelligence, cybersecurity, and defense services firms.

Up to $1.5B to 4 Firms for MDA Financial Management Services

The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) awarded 4 contracts worth up to $1.5 billion to provide financial management services in support of the Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) program.

The MDA is expected to spend more $100 billion over the lifetime of the BMD program. The agency has come under criticism from the GAO for its lack of transparency and accountability.

“MDA’s flexible acquisition approach has limited the ability for DOD and congressional decision makers to measure MDA’s progress on cost, schedule, and testing…MDA’s baselines have been inadequate to measure progress and hold MDA accountable. However, GAO also reported that new MDA initiatives to improve baselines could help improve acquisition accountability.”

To help it improve financial accountability, the MDA is turning to 4 contractors:

$17.9M Order to BAE for MOLLE Gear

MOLLE gear options
(click to view)

BAE Systems Specialty Group, PA won a $17.9 firm-fixed-price 5-year indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity US Army production contract for Modular Lightweight Load Carrying Equipment (MOLLE). Work will be performed in Jessup. Estimated completion date is Aug 11/11. The original proposal was Web solicited with 3 bids received. The U.S. Army Research Development & Engineering Command’s Natick Contracting Center in Natick, MA manages the contract (W911QY-06-D-0003).

Modular Light-weight Load Carrying Equipment (MOLLE) is a modular quick-release backpack with compartments and components that can easily be clipped on or removed, plus a fighting load vest that can accept removable pockets for the Rifleman, Pistol, Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW) Gunner, and Grenadier configurations. Its modularity allows individuals to tailor their load and configuration to meet mission needs.