Defense contract requirements to be loosened

October 19, 2008 by Dagpotter · Comment
Filed under: Commentary, Congress, Federal Budget Process, IT, Military Aviation, SETA, U.S. Army, development program, logistics, production program 

One of the issues that faces any company trying to do business with the US DoD is that the personnel requirements are usually pretty stiff. This is especially true for SETA type work. The military is usually looking to hire experienced people with clearances. This is why you find so many retired military and federal workers as contractors. Getting a clearance has become an issue as the Federal government has been bogged down for years trying to clear people. The easiest way to get one is to join the military; or work for the government. These requirements also make it harder when you are trying to hire someone. Now, the Army in Huntsville has recognized these factors and is making efforts to change them. They are trying to relax the experience and degree requirements to allow newer hires out of college; they are also making it easier to hire interns to get them clearances and experience before they graduate.

See the Huntsville Times for the story.

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AMCOM worries about local workforce

May 21, 2008 by Dagpotter · Comment
Filed under: Alabama, BRAC, Federal Budget Process, MDA, Military Aviation, Restructuring, U.S. Army, development program, missile defense, production program 

According to this article the Commanding General of the Army’s Aviation and Missile Command (AMCOM) is worried about the potential supply of workers in the Huntsville, AL area in the future. The last round of BRAC moved two major commands to the Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville. Many of the people working there will not move for a variety of reasons. Major General Myles is concerned that the vacancies will suck people out of the existing Aviation and Missile commands to work at the Army Material Command and Missile Defense Agency. On top of that it is predicted for every government job moved at least one contractor job will be created. These workers have to come from somewhere and MG Myles hopes that local government, industry and higher education will train them without relying on subsidies from the Army. As in the past people will move to Huntsville, like your humble correspondent, to get these jobs, but that may not be enough.

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Story on earmarks illustrates issue

April 15, 2008 by Dagpotter · Comment
Filed under: Congress, Contract Awards, Digital Fusion, Federal Budget Process, SMDC, crime 

The Wall Street Journal and The Huntsville Times both have stories today on Congressional Earmarks, the Defense budget and corruption. See the stories here and here. The Journal highlights how a Huntsville company, Digital Fusion, received an earmarked contract from a Texas Democrat at around the same time they gave him a large campaign contribution. The Times is following up on a recent case where Federal workers at the Space and Missile Defense Command (SMDC) were taking bribes from contractors for giving contracts to them. In that case the contractors have yet to be named. The Federal investigators as part of their follow-up are looking at companies that received earmarked contracts through SMDC. The first case is not a crime unless you can tie the contribution directly to the contract award which is almost impossible without some kind of documentation. That is what befell Congressman Cunningham from California as they had written evidence linking the two events. SMDC spreads a lot of RDT&E money around each year, much of it earmarked by local Senators and Congressman. All received campaign contributions from contractors and deny any linkage. You be the judge.

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