“Crystal Clear”

“Crystal Clear”:

Top defense leaders unveiled their new tanker acquisition strategy Thursday, telling reporters at the Pentagon they believe the requirements are more concise, far less subjective and without ambiguity. “This is a ‘best value’” competition, Deputy Defense Secretary Bill Lynn said. Although price will be a big factor—and some of the competition will demand a fixed price offer from contractors—it’s “not a price shootout,” Lynn asserted. Other factors will include efficiency, lifecycle costs, and military construction costs, as well as simulated performance in Pentagon war plans. When a winner is chosen—probably not sooner than next June—it should be “crystal clear to everyone” why that contractor prevailed, Pentagon acquisition chief Ashton Carter said. The list of requirements has been whittled down from 808 to 373, mostly by using clearer language and eliminating duplication, Lynn reported. Continue

—John A. Tirpak

9/25/2009

Verbatim

Appreciative Host
"I know you're here during a difficult time. You're here through Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's. I promise you, we will find turkeys."
—Republic of Lithuania Chief of Defence Maj. Gen. Arvydas Pocius, expressing his thanks to airmen of the 493rd Fighter Squadron from RAF Lakenheath, Britain, who on Sept. 1, 2010, began a four-month stint with their F-15s in Lithuania to protect the airspace of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania under NATO's Baltic air policing mission.

Verbatim

Family Momentum
"In many ways, this was what the Year of the Air Force Family was all about—connecting airmen and their families with the resources they need. I have confidence the Air Force will capitalize on this strong momentum in the years ahead by continuing to improve our family support programs and ensuring people know what resources are available."
—Suzie Schwartz, wife of USAF Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz, commenting on the accomplishments of the Year of the Air Force Family initiative that concluded in July, in a statement provided to the Daily Report, Aug. 22, 2010.