Illinois / Iowa Delegation Sends Letter to the President on the Assistant Secretary at the Office for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology
Lawmakers Ask for Support of the Army’s Organic Industrial Base
[WASHINGTON, DC] – The bi-state delegation that represents the Rock Island Arsenal, Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Mark Kirk (R-IL), Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Tom Harkin (D-IA) along with Congressmen Bobby Schilling (R-IL-17), Bruce Braley (D-IA-01) and Dave Loebsack (D-IA-02) today sent a letter to President Barack Obama following Dr. Malcolm O’Neill’s recent resignation as the U.S. Army Assistant Secretary at the Office for Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology, ASA (ALT). In their letter, the lawmakers request that the President consider candidates for O’Neill’s replacement that understand and appreciate the Army’s organic industrial base, have a background in government procurement and experience as a Division Commander in one of the Services, and would be a champion of small businesses.
“As members of the Illinois and Iowa Congressional Delegation who represent the Rock Island Arsenal,” the lawmakers wrote, “we believe that the best candidate for this position should have a strong understanding and appreciation of the Army’s organic industrial base. Specifically, we would like the next ASA (ALT) to ensure our arsenals receive proper workload.
“As the United States military begins to drawdown in Iraq and Afghanistan, we believe it is vital to maintain workload and labor skills at our arsenals. One of the ways this can be achieved is through the promotion of public/private partnerships, and our hope is that the next ASA (ALT) will be a strong proponent of such partnership authority. The Army must also ensure that it utilizes the arsenals in such a way to preserve the readiness of their workforce and manufacturing capabilities. The next ASA (ALT) must ensure the arsenals receive the appropriate workload and that they are able to appropriately compete for work. Utilization of public/private partnerships, steady workload, and the ability to compete for contracts are critical to the Army’s ability to maintain a strong organic manufacturing base and the unique manufacturing capabilities the arsenals provide.”
ASA (ALT) is charged with managing and sustaining Army weapons equipment and systems through their research and development, to their evaluation and testing, and finally through acquisition, logistics, and fielding, and is also the organization within the Army with the ability to assist others in workloading the Joint Manufacturing and Technology Center (JMTC) at the Rock Island Arsenal.