I wonder if this announcement will do anything to address MDA’s concerns about quality control with its contract support?:
The US Missile Defense Agency (MDA) awarded indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity contracts to 3 small business qualifiers to provide advisory and assistance services to MDA’s Quality, Safety and Mission Assurance Directorate. Each contract has an ordering ceiling of $209.6 million.
The contractors will assist the directorate in assessing the engineering, technology, production and programmatic practices/ processes used to develop and operate the Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) system. MDA is developing a layered BDM system that is designed to destroy enemy missiles by engaging them in all phases of flight (see graphic).
The MDA has come under criticism for the slow pace of BMD development, cost overruns, questionable auditing practices, and repeated test failures. The 3 contracts are part of an effort by MDA to streamline is contracting processes. The winners of the contracts are:
- a.i. solutions’ Launch Services Division in Lanham, Md. (HQ0147-10-D-0027);
- A-P-T Research in Huntsville, AL (HQ0147-10-D-0028); and
- Bastion Technologies in Houston, TX (HQ0147-10-D-0029).
You can read more here.
3:10 am on March 2nd, 2010 1
MDA’s attempt to bolster Safety and Quality problems by issuance of the 200 million dollar gifts to consultant Contractor (buddies) is indicative of the lack of solid Systems Engineering principles and knowledge.
MDA is so far behind the Proudction and deployment schedule and the technology development curve US Missile Defense is a fantasy.
MDA doesn’t have a clue how to Manage Systems Contracts or Production Contracts, LMCO, Boeing and Northrup have got these guys so buffalo’d they will never do it.