The Virtue of Unlearning
In the Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, the culmination of Yoda’s wisdom imparted to the young Jedi in training, Luke Skywalker, was to forcibly utter “You must unlearn what you have learned,” shortly before passing. This quote has … Continued
Doing Business in a Business-like Fashion – fundamentals of OTs
It is vexing to hear the refrain that Other Transactions (OTs) are intended only or primarily for non-traditional performers. Several articles on the Strategic Institute website point out that appealing to nontraditional companies is a means to an end, … Continued
Seeking the edge over truth, WaPo obscures fact
I noticed the header on the Washington Post: Democracy Dies in Darkness. A recent story by Aaron Gregg made me wonder if democracy thrives better in the murk of misleading and false information. The story, Seeking the edge over geopolitical … Continued
Leadership Needed: Act Now
Have you noticed? There is much talk about Other Transactions and other innovative business practices. It shows up in the trade press, social media feeds and on websites. Progress is being made but it is slow. Less than 2% … Continued
The Importance of Language in Government Business
You have come across a broad sea and landed on a beautiful tropical island. Tanned people in scanty clothing come out to meet you and your sailors clothed in 15th Century European seamen’s attire. You have discovered a … Continued
Avoiding a Fatal or Worst-Case Crash
This is not a DAU or contracting course lecture about going to jail if you don’t follow all the rules. There is no FAR “jail” for contracting officers, much less program managers, who don’t follow the rules. Contracting officers, … Continued
The Most Important Other Transaction Agreement
What is the most important OTA? Most likely it is an OTA that hasn’t been invented yet. For some organizations the most important OTA may be a replication or slight modification of something that has already been pioneered. For … Continued
Prototypes for Readiness – Tapping Commercial Innovation to Improve Defense Readiness and Reduce Sustainment Costs
The problem It’s no secret that DoD has an aviation readiness problem. In September 2018, GAO reported that front line Air Force and Navy tactical aircraft were well below their operational availability goals and their operating and support costs were … Continued
Reflection: Landing on the Moon
written by Richard L. Dunn The Apollo moon landing on 20 July 1969 holds a special place in my heart. My father worked on the Apollo program as a contractor employee. He worked for Apollo contractor ILC Industries best known … Continued