Aerospace Industries Association
AIA on the Hill
AIA Testifies on Acquisition Reform
AIA Vice President of Acquisition Policy Richard Sylvester characterized the acquisition system as a powerful tool that could ensure that systems and services would be provided at fair and reasonable prices in testimony Sept. 17. He made his remarks before the House Armed Services Committee Panel on Defense Acquisition Reform.
Sylvester also called for a dialogue between government and industry to promote an understanding of the factors that drive industry business decisions. He told lawmakers that the core elements of a functional acquisition system are a strong industrial base, a rational and flexible acquisition process, well-defined requirements, budget realism, stable procurement plans, a well-trained and experienced acquisition workforce and support from Congress.
“We need to develop rules that are flexible and preserve program integrity,” Sylvester said. “The best tool we have is a well-trained and experienced acquisition workforce that can apply knowledge and ingenuity to each acquisition decision.”
Full text of Sylvester's remarks and his written testimony can be found on the AIA Web site at http://www.aia-aerospace.org/newsroom/speeches_testimony/.
Congress Passes Defense Production Act Reauthorization
The Congress passed reauthorization of the Defense Production Act, which will now go to the president for signature. The bill is intended to strengthen the U.S. manufacturing base for products critical to American security. 
First signed by President Truman in 1950, the Defense Production Act has helped the government preserve production lines for critical items, keeping our country prepared in case of emergency.
The bill requires federal agencies to set up systems to rapidly mobilize manufacturers to meet America's needs in a crisis; provides loans and loan guarantees to reliable suppliers that have trouble gaining access to credit; and creates a Cabinet-level forum on industrial policy by establishing the interagency Defense Production Act Committee.
Future of NASA Human Space Flight Report Under Review in Both Chambers
The House Science and Technology Committee held a hearing on the future of NASA human space flight Sept. 15. The Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Subcommittee on Science and Space held their hearing Sept. 16. Both hearings were called in response to the release of the Review of U.S. Human Space Flight Plans Committee's summary report.
The Review of U.S. Human Space Flight Plans Committee was established by NASA under the direction of the Office of Science and Technology Policy and was chaired by former Lockheed Martin CEO Norman Augustine. The committee found that “human exploration beyond low-Earth orbit is not viable under the FY 2010 budget guideline” and that “meaningful human exploration is possible under a less constrained budget, ramping to approximately $3 billion per year above the FY 2010 guidance in total resources.”
The full committee report is expected to be released soon. The impact of the report on current U.S. Space Exploration Policy, the Constellation project and future NASA funding remains to be seen.
In a press release responding to the Augustine Committee’s summary, AIA President and CEO Marion Blakey said, “We agree with the Committee’s conclusion that the U.S. faces a critical need for greater investment in the future of human space exploration. American leadership in this crucial international arena is perishable without a national commitment and a program matched with the resources needed for its execution.”
During the House Science and Technology Committee hearing, several members criticized the report's findings and defended the Constellation program. At the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Subcommittee on Science and Space hearing, Senator Bill Nelson was concerned about NASA's ability to send astronauts beyond the International Space Station, and challenged the president by saying, “The human spaceflight program can only be led by the elected leader of this country because he sets the priorities.” Both Congressional committees agreed that more funding ($3 billion per year) was needed to sustain a viable Human Space Flight Program beyond low-Earth orbit.