Arlington, VA, January 24, 1995 -- The Air Force Association praised the administration and Congress for their successful efforts to improve Defense Department business practices, but called for further efforts by the new 104th Congress to reform the defense acquisition process.

In a short white paper titled Well Done, Half Begun: An Acquisition Reform Scorecard, AFA's Science and Technology Committee lauded the Federal Acquisition Streamlining Act, passed last fall, as a "substantial achievement." However, while the new law will help the Pentagon achieve "significant efficiencies" in buying goods and services, the paper also noted that it does little to improve the process by which DoD buys complex weapons systems. Improvements in program stability, the requirements process, program management, and managing the professional workforce are needed as well.

AFA's Science and Technology Committee is chaired by Gen. Robert T. Marsh, USAF (Ret.), a former commander of Air Force Systems Command. Its members include Dr. Thomas Cooper; Gen. Charles Gabriel, USAF (Ret.); Lt. Gen. Thomas McMullen, USAF (Ret.); Dr. William Schneider; Dr. Wayne Schroeder; Henry Smyth; Brig. Gen. Charles Stebbins, USAF (Ret.); Dr. James Tegnelia; Dr. Richard Thomas; Dr. Bill Welch; Mr. John J. Welch.