Fwd: National Security Update – Government Contracting for National Security: Tapping Into “The Most Vibrant, Exciting, Capable Private Sector in History”

heritage.org | Heritage research | Blog |                         July 19, 2010 Issue in Depth: Private Contracting Contracts are at the center of our nation, after all the U.S. Constitution is a contract between the government and its people. In the midst of two wars, government contracting into the private sector now serves vital roles. They provide our troops with the most innovative technologies as well as supply extra manpower on the ground both at home and abroad. Responsible contracting will require the government to maintain experienced, fully equipped, and trained contracting officers to effectively carry out their jobs. Nevertheless, the continuous push for increased regulations and oversight of the contracting process are having undesired effects. These efforts are doing nothing but adding more bureaucracy while creating a risk-averse environment that stifles creativity and innovation. Making sure that contracting is done right goes to the heart of our democracy. The purpose of a budget is to serve the people. If the government is not being a careful steward of taxpayer dollars through contracting than democracy is at risk. Please see our most recent research on responsible contracting in this week's National Security Update. Latest Research: The Heritage Foundation: Responsible Contracting: Modernizing the Business of Government for National Security Getting contracting right is a fundamental responsibility of good governance—essential to the practice of limited government and fiscal responsibility. It is particularly important in regard to contracting in support of national security activities. Our men and women in uniform who enter harm's way to protect our liberties and freedom deserve the best support we can give them. The Heritage Foundation: Defense Spending Fraud, Waste, and Abuse: Hype, Reality, and Real Solutions Eliminating misspent defense dollars is frequently cited as a remedy for reducing military spending. Such proposals ignore the fact that eliminating fraud, waste, and abuse has historically proven to be a relatively modest source of savings compared to the overall defense budget. In addition, substantial programs already exist to root out unnecessary spending. The Heritage Foundation: Congressional Restraint is Key to Successful Defense Acquisition Reform Everybody concerned should focus on the single most important goal of defense acquisition reform: providing U.S. soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines with the most effective weapons and equipment as soon as possible. During this time of war, they are putting their lives on the line for the security of the nation every day. Government leaders in both the executive and legislative branches have a duty to them to give them the best possible chance of surviving the battlefield while fulfilling their assigned missions. The Heritage Foundation: New START: Beyond the Rhetoric In the wake of controversy over private military contracting, the National Defense Authorization Act of 2008 established the Commission on Wartime Contracting to investigate the issue. The commission is expected to issue an interim report The recently inked United States-Russia Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) has ignited the op-ed pages of prominent newspapers and Web sites across the country over the last few days. The Senate much now reflect on the value of the arms control pact - which that legislative body musy decide to ratify or not - to American national security. More Blogs and Commentary: The Heritage Foundation: Contracting in Combat: Advice for the Commission on Wartime Contracting In the wake of controversy over private military contracting, the National Defense Authorization Act of 2008 established the Commission on Wartime Contracting to investigate the issue. The commission is expected to issue an interim report in 2009 and a final report in 2010. The commission should promote recommendations to improve the government's capacity to make and oversee contracts in an "expeditionary" wartime environment, advocate a more robust and capable contracting force, and propose better doctrine and management processes for deciding when hiring contractors to support military operations is most useful. The Foundry: Towards a More Efficient Military If you've ever waited in line at the DMV or tried to contact the IRS for help with your taxes, you're no doubt aware that government bureaucracies tend to be inefficient. Well, the same thing holds true in the military. The Foundry: New START's Many Problems: What the Experts Say Compiled below are comments made by various experts regarding the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START). Be sure to follow our continuing coverage of the New START and the impact it will have on America's security.   More Events: July 19, 2010, 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.  Location: Washington, DC The Heritage Foundation: Will Obama's Arms Control Agenda Stop With New START? Join us as Henry D. Sokolski shares his findings from his just completed Council on Foreign Relations Working Paper, Controlling the Further Spread of Nuclear Weapons, which offers a critique of our current arms control strategy. July 20, 2010, 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Location: Washington, DC The Heritage Foundation: Stopping Terrorists at the Front Door: How the Visa Waiver Program Enhances U.S. Security Join us as panelists Marc Frey and C. Stewart Verdery, Jr. discuss the security benefits as well as the future of the Visa Waiver Program. July 28, 2010, 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. Location: Washington, DC The Heritage Foundation: Keeping America Free, Safe, and Prosperous: Counterterrorism in the Obama Administration Join us as Representative Peter King (R-NY) addresses counterterrorism in the Obama Administration and the future of homeland security.  Copyright All Rights Reserved © 2009, The Heritage Foundation The Heritage Foundation | 214 Massachusetts Ave NE, Washington, DC 20002 | 202.546.4400