Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Friday, June 5, 2009
Reforming Pentagon Purchasing to Save Money
Weekly column by Senator Susan Collins
Every year, the Department of Defense (DoD) spends billions of dollars on major weapons systems. In fiscal year 2008 alone, DoD spending reached $396 billion, approximately 74 percent of total federal contract spending. The scope of the Department’s contract spending is particularly evident when the Army’s procurement activities are examined. The number of Army contracts has grown by more than 600 percent since 2001, and contract dollars have increased by more than 500 percent. In 2007, the Army is responsible for one out of every four federal contracting dollars.
Unfortunately, the Defense Department does not always spend wisely. In purchasing major defense systems, the Department has a record of being over budget and behind schedule. According to the Government Accountability Office (GAO), 95 of the DoD’s largest weapons programs are over budget by a total of $295 billion and are behind schedule by an average of two years.
To address these persistent problems, I joined Senators Carl Levin (D-Michigan) and John McCain (R-Arizona) in cosponsoring bipartisan procurement reform legislation. Recently, President Obama signed our bill into law. The Weapon Systems Acquisition Reform Act of 2009 will help prevent cost overruns, keep programs on track, and bring increased accountability and transparency to major defense acquisition programs.
The new law will help strengthen DoD’s procurement process by requiring more planning, better estimation of costs, more competition, a larger acquisition workforce, and improved oversight of projects. It will help build discipline into the planning and requirements process, keep projects focused, prevent cost overruns and schedule delays, and ultimately save taxpayer dollars.
This law improves DoD’s planning and contracting oversight in many ways. It creates a new senior leader at the Pentagon who will be charged with accurately estimating the costs of defense systems. These cost estimates are critical for the Pentagon to evaluate cost, schedule, and system performance before a contract is awarded. Weighing these factors carefully from the very beginning of the decision-making process will enhance overall project planning and improve contracting outcomes.
In addition, the law will require that the Department establish clear lines to prevent conflicts of interest by defense contractors. These reforms will strengthen the wall between government employees and contractors, helping to ensure that ethical boundaries are respected. While contractors are important partners of military and civilian employees at DoD, their roles and responsibilities must be well-defined and free of conflicts of interest as they undertake their critical work supporting our nation’s military.
The law also includes an amendment that I offered with Senator Claire McCaskill (D-MO) to ensure that DoD reliably and consistently measures contract performance. Contractors would be required to use approved systems that track a project’s cost, schedule, and scope. These reports can provide early warnings of performance problems and better help programs stay on schedule and on budget. The quality and timeliness of a contractor’s reporting will also be taken into consideration when it bids on new contracts.
Research, development, testing, evaluation, and procurement of increasingly complex defense systems challenge the Pentagon’s ability to ensure taxpayer dollars are spent wisely. This new law will strengthen the Department’s acquisition planning, increase and improve program oversight, and help prevent contracting waste, fraud, and mismanagement. Ultimately, it will help ensure that our military personnel have the equipment they need, when they need it, and that tax dollars are not wasted on programs doomed to fail.
Every year, the Department of Defense (DoD) spends billions of dollars on major weapons systems. In fiscal year 2008 alone, DoD spending reached $396 billion, approximately 74 percent of total federal contract spending. The scope of the Department’s contract spending is particularly evident when the Army’s procurement activities are examined. The number of Army contracts has grown by more than 600 percent since 2001, and contract dollars have increased by more than 500 percent. In 2007, the Army is responsible for one out of every four federal contracting dollars.
Unfortunately, the Defense Department does not always spend wisely. In purchasing major defense systems, the Department has a record of being over budget and behind schedule. According to the Government Accountability Office (GAO), 95 of the DoD’s largest weapons programs are over budget by a total of $295 billion and are behind schedule by an average of two years.
To address these persistent problems, I joined Senators Carl Levin (D-Michigan) and John McCain (R-Arizona) in cosponsoring bipartisan procurement reform legislation. Recently, President Obama signed our bill into law. The Weapon Systems Acquisition Reform Act of 2009 will help prevent cost overruns, keep programs on track, and bring increased accountability and transparency to major defense acquisition programs.
The new law will help strengthen DoD’s procurement process by requiring more planning, better estimation of costs, more competition, a larger acquisition workforce, and improved oversight of projects. It will help build discipline into the planning and requirements process, keep projects focused, prevent cost overruns and schedule delays, and ultimately save taxpayer dollars.
This law improves DoD’s planning and contracting oversight in many ways. It creates a new senior leader at the Pentagon who will be charged with accurately estimating the costs of defense systems. These cost estimates are critical for the Pentagon to evaluate cost, schedule, and system performance before a contract is awarded. Weighing these factors carefully from the very beginning of the decision-making process will enhance overall project planning and improve contracting outcomes.
In addition, the law will require that the Department establish clear lines to prevent conflicts of interest by defense contractors. These reforms will strengthen the wall between government employees and contractors, helping to ensure that ethical boundaries are respected. While contractors are important partners of military and civilian employees at DoD, their roles and responsibilities must be well-defined and free of conflicts of interest as they undertake their critical work supporting our nation’s military.
The law also includes an amendment that I offered with Senator Claire McCaskill (D-MO) to ensure that DoD reliably and consistently measures contract performance. Contractors would be required to use approved systems that track a project’s cost, schedule, and scope. These reports can provide early warnings of performance problems and better help programs stay on schedule and on budget. The quality and timeliness of a contractor’s reporting will also be taken into consideration when it bids on new contracts.
Research, development, testing, evaluation, and procurement of increasingly complex defense systems challenge the Pentagon’s ability to ensure taxpayer dollars are spent wisely. This new law will strengthen the Department’s acquisition planning, increase and improve program oversight, and help prevent contracting waste, fraud, and mismanagement. Ultimately, it will help ensure that our military personnel have the equipment they need, when they need it, and that tax dollars are not wasted on programs doomed to fail.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Energy Secretary to discuss funding Maine wind research center
U.S. Energy Secretary accepts Senator Collins' invitation to discuss plans for national offshore wind research center at University of Maine
Senator Susan Collins today announced that U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu will meet with University of Maine Professor Habib Dagher this week to discuss proposed plans to establish a National Offshore Wind Research Center at the University of Maine. Maine Governor John Baldacci, Senator Olympia Snowe and Congressman Mike Michaud are also expected to attend the meeting, which is scheduled for Friday, June 5 at the Department of Energy headquarters in Washington, D.C.
“I am convinced that investments in energy independence combined with American determination and ingenuity will enable us to build a stronger economy as we achieve energy security,” said Senator Collins. “This is a tremendous opportunity and that is why I am delighted that Secretary Chu has accepted my invitation to discuss the key role that the State of Maine and the University of Maine could play in the development of offshore wind technology.”
As Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security Committee, Senator Collins led a hearing in July 2008 at which Professor Dagher spoke of the potential for wind power to supply as much as 40 percent of the nation’s energy, calling the Gulf of Maine the “Saudi Arabia of Wind.” Having deep, offshore wind production, out-of-sight from land, provides an affordable source of renewable energy directly to the country’s population centers on each coast while supplying thousands of new jobs. In addition, it would diversify Maine’s electricity supply so that people could switch from using oil to heat homes to heat pumps. At the hearing, Professor Dagher stated that with proper investment we are only five to seven years away from developing the proper technology.
Senator Collins invited Secretary Chu to meet and discuss “renewable energy and energy efficiency demonstration projects in the State of Maine, which could serve as a national model for the green energy economy.”
Following is the text of Senator Collins’ letter to Secretary Chu requesting the meeting.
Senator Susan Collins today announced that U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu will meet with University of Maine Professor Habib Dagher this week to discuss proposed plans to establish a National Offshore Wind Research Center at the University of Maine. Maine Governor John Baldacci, Senator Olympia Snowe and Congressman Mike Michaud are also expected to attend the meeting, which is scheduled for Friday, June 5 at the Department of Energy headquarters in Washington, D.C.
“I am convinced that investments in energy independence combined with American determination and ingenuity will enable us to build a stronger economy as we achieve energy security,” said Senator Collins. “This is a tremendous opportunity and that is why I am delighted that Secretary Chu has accepted my invitation to discuss the key role that the State of Maine and the University of Maine could play in the development of offshore wind technology.”
As Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security Committee, Senator Collins led a hearing in July 2008 at which Professor Dagher spoke of the potential for wind power to supply as much as 40 percent of the nation’s energy, calling the Gulf of Maine the “Saudi Arabia of Wind.” Having deep, offshore wind production, out-of-sight from land, provides an affordable source of renewable energy directly to the country’s population centers on each coast while supplying thousands of new jobs. In addition, it would diversify Maine’s electricity supply so that people could switch from using oil to heat homes to heat pumps. At the hearing, Professor Dagher stated that with proper investment we are only five to seven years away from developing the proper technology.
Senator Collins invited Secretary Chu to meet and discuss “renewable energy and energy efficiency demonstration projects in the State of Maine, which could serve as a national model for the green energy economy.”
Following is the text of Senator Collins’ letter to Secretary Chu requesting the meeting.
April 28, 2009
The Honorable Steven Chu Secretary Department of Energy
1000 Independence Ave. SW
Washington, DC 20585
Dear Secretary Chu:
I am writing on behalf of Maine Governor John Baldacci and University of Maine Professor Habib Dagher to request a meeting with you to discuss renewable energy and energy efficiency demonstration projects in the State of Maine, which could serve as a national model for the green energy economy.
With 80 percent of homes using heating oil, Maine is extremely vulnerable to rising crude oil prices. By 2018, the cost of energy, the sum of gasoline plus heating oil plus electricity could consume as much as 40 percent of the average Maine household's income. Maine has, however, abundant natural resources to generate clean renewable energy, particularly wind energy. Professor Dagher estimates that Maine has the equivalent of 40 nuclear power plants of offshore wind energy within 50 nautical miles of its coast. The wind is so powerful off the coast of Maine that on the average, a wind turbine in the Gulf of Maine can generate twice the energy that the same turbine will generate in the Kansas-Texas wind corridor.
Considering that the majority of the U.S. population lives in coastal states, offshore wind energy could be a significant part of our nation's energy future. The U.S. has nearly 2,500 gigawatts (GW) of offshore wind potential within 50 nautical miles, but more than half of this resource, about 1,500 GW, is in waters deeper than 200 feet. Unlocking this vast energy potential requires the development of next generation fixed foundation offshore wind turbine technologies, as well as testing of floating platforms prototypes.
The State of Maine would like the opportunity to propose to you a Maine-Department of Energy partnership to establish a National Offshore Wind Research Center in Maine. Maine is an ideal place for this center since nearly nine percent of the U.S. deepwater offshore wind energy is in the Gulf of Maine. Governor Baldacci is prepared to offer legislation to expedite the selection of an offshore wind test site and has proposed a bond package to help jump-start the development of this technology, which would complement a partnership with the Department of Energy. Researchers at the University of Maine's world leading Advanced Structures and Composites Center already work with your National Renewable Energy Laboratory on offshore wind technologies.
Estimates are that development of just 5 GW of offshore wind in Maine could attract $20 billion of investment to the state and can create over 15,000 jobs green energy jobs that will be sustained over 30 years. Together with a massive weatherization program, and conversion to electric heating pumps and electric vehicles, the state plans to transform its economy, and become the Greenest State in the U.S.
Thank you for your consideration of my request for a meeting to discuss this exciting proposal. My staff will contact your scheduler to discuss the matter further. I look forward to working with you on this and other renewable energy and energy efficiency initiatives.
FoxNews reports on the Ripsaw
The Howe brothers of North Berwick, Maine are interviewed about their invention- the unmanned tank Ripsaw.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Stimulus funds for cancer research at Jackson Labs
U.S. Senators Olympia J. Snowe and Susan Collins (R-Maine) today announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services National Institute of Health has awarded $361,050 in grant funding for cancer research to Jackson Laboratory in Bar Harbor.
The funding is being distributed to Maine through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Senators Snowe and Collins worked with a bipartisan group of senators to craft the legislation that became law in February.
“This funding from the Department of Health & Human Services will facilitate advanced cancer research that will benefit the health of all Americans,” said Snowe and Collins in a joint statement. “We are pleased that Maine’s own Jackson Laboratory and is at the forefront of our nation’s medical research efforts.”
The Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS) is the United States government's principal agency for protecting the health of all Americans and providing essential human services, especially for those who are least able to help themselves. The Department includes more than 300 programs, covering a wide spectrum of activities, and administers more grant dollars than all other federal agencies combined.
The funding is being distributed to Maine through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Senators Snowe and Collins worked with a bipartisan group of senators to craft the legislation that became law in February.
“This funding from the Department of Health & Human Services will facilitate advanced cancer research that will benefit the health of all Americans,” said Snowe and Collins in a joint statement. “We are pleased that Maine’s own Jackson Laboratory and is at the forefront of our nation’s medical research efforts.”
The Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS) is the United States government's principal agency for protecting the health of all Americans and providing essential human services, especially for those who are least able to help themselves. The Department includes more than 300 programs, covering a wide spectrum of activities, and administers more grant dollars than all other federal agencies combined.
Laid-off Mainers may benefit from expanded recovery benefits
Bangor Daily News:
Read more >>
More than a thousand Mainers who have been laid off from 21 companies from South Portland to Baileyville to Ashland because of unfair trade practices are poised to receive expanded benefits under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
“This has been a critical program for Maine to retrain workers who have lost their jobs,” said Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine. “We increased the funding for the program in the Recovery Act and improved it during the negotiations on the package.”
Read more >>
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Collins given Alzheimers champion award
Portland Press Herald - The Maine Alzheimer's Association gave its first ever "Alzheimer's Champion Award" out today to Republican U.S. Sen. Susan Collins for her work in promoting awareness of the disease.
Sen. Collins is receiving the award during the 2009 Alzheimer's Champions Breakfast this morning.
According to the Maine Alzheimer's Association, Sen. Collins, as a co-chair of the Congressional Task Force on Alzheimer's Disease has been "instrumental in efforts to make Alzheimer's disease a national priority."
This is the first time the association has given such an award at a breakfast that is set to become an annual event. If you would like to learn more about the Maine Alzheimer's Association, visit their website, www.alz.org
Sen. Collins is receiving the award during the 2009 Alzheimer's Champions Breakfast this morning.
According to the Maine Alzheimer's Association, Sen. Collins, as a co-chair of the Congressional Task Force on Alzheimer's Disease has been "instrumental in efforts to make Alzheimer's disease a national priority."
This is the first time the association has given such an award at a breakfast that is set to become an annual event. If you would like to learn more about the Maine Alzheimer's Association, visit their website, www.alz.org
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