Industry Analysis for Body Armor Procurement

摘要

In order to leverage buying power, reduce costs and improve supplier management, the United States Air Force (USAF) needs to take a strategic approach to acquiring goods and services. Both academic and business literature promotes strategic sourcing as a viable method of minimizing cost and guarding against materials disruptions. In addition, the Office of Management and Budget has required that each agency create strategic sourcing initiatives, monitor the cost savings and report the results to the Office of Federal Procurement Policy. However, utilization of strategic sourcing techniques and processes within the USAF is relatively new and its full benefit has not been realized. Continued efforts by the USAF to integrate strategic sourcing into its acquisition processes will yield further cost savings and other related supply chain improvements. To assist with improving the strategic sourcing efforts of the USAF, this research seeks to identify viable methodologies for conducting industry analysis. This is important and relevant because conducting an industry analysis is a critical step toward developing an effective sourcing strategy.