Identifying and Managing Acquisition and Sustainment Supply Chain Risks.

摘要

In recent years, the Air Force and, particularly, its suppliers have pursued various ways to improve performance, reduce costs, and otherwise adopt best industry practices. These include outsourcing, global sourcing, supply base rationalization, single sourcing, just-in-time deliveries, and lean inventories. Although these practices offer many benefits in efficiency and effectiveness, they can also make supply chains more brittle and increase the risks of supply disruptions. This report examines supply chain risk management, including evolving commercial and Air Force practices, and makes recommendations for modifying Air Force practices. The research was performed as part of a project titled Identifying and Managing Risks Associated with Agile Supply Chains, conducted in RAND Project AIR FORCE s Resource Management Program and commissioned by the Director of Transformation, Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics, Installations, and Mission Support; Deputy Assistant Secretary for Acquisition Integration, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition; and Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Logistics, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Installations, Environment, and Logistics. After this research was completed, the Air Force reorganized the Air Force Materiel Command. The new structure established an Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC) and an Air Force Sustainment Center (AFSC). The AFLCMC consolidates product development and support system design. The AFSC integrates depot maintenance and Air Force supply chain activities. The findings and recommendations presented in this report are relevant to how the Air Force will identify and manage supply chain risk under the new organizational structure.