The Cost, Acquisition, Manufacturing and Estimating Log [The CAMEL Season 2, Episode 2.]
Sometimes you feel like you’re lost in the desert…but you’re not alone. You've got The CAMEL!
Each edition of the CAMEL will endeavor to quench your thirst by sharing some of our favorite cost resources. Please share your favorites in the comments or directly to us via Tetelestai2021@protonmail.com.
5 Skills to be a Procurement Champion (Part 1: Will robots take your acquisition job away?))
This is so great. Enjoy this HILARIOUS AND educational video by ASI Education. ASI Education is the educational arm of ASI Government, LLC in partnership with The Acquisition Innovation Group, LLC.
Cost Savings in Government
We regularly see articles in the media about cost GROWTH in government programs. Indeed, I’ve shared several via previous editions of The CAMEL. But I thought it would be nice for a change to share some good news regarding cost savings.
Norfolk Mail Center Received Software Upgrade to Better Serve Customers
NAVSUP Fleet Logistics Center (FLC) Norfolk Regional Navy Mail Center (RNMC) recently implemented an upgrade to the software they use to process mail.
RNMC Sailors, civilians and contractors received training on the new Pitney Bowes (PB) Send Suite Live and Send Suite Tracking systems with the Pitney Bowes SendPro (SP) 360 software March 6-9.
“The benefit of this software upgrade is an improved graphical user interface for clerks processing mail for best cost savings, while ensuring the customer’s special services requests are being considered,” explained NAVSUP FLC Norfolk RNMC Director of Postal Operations Tom Wilson.
Previously, clerks processing mail had to take extra steps to manually perform rate shopping between different carriers to find the lowest price, where the new system automatically performs that function. “Reducing carrier charges and overhead costs are a key component of this new software,” said Wilson. “Rate shopping capabilities enable the mail system operator to choose the most economical mail carrier and class from NAVSUP approved carriers.” More.
Team Redstone saves $213 million through value engineering efforts during FY22
U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Deputy to the Commanding General Donald Nitti was the keynote speaker at the annual Value Engineering-Army Working Capital Fund Investment Program awards ceremony held March 7 on Redstone Arsenal, Alabama.
Value engineering is a methodology that uses a function-analysis approach to get the optimum solution for the lowest amount of life-cycle resources. Teams from throughout Redstone Arsenal worked together to seek solutions for cost, obsolescence, and reliability drivers adversely impacting the readiness of aviation and missile weapons systems, or affecting the Soldiers, organizations and processes that sustain them. The AWCF is a revolving fund used to procure spare and repair parts for Army weapons systems. The fund sets aside money each year to finance projects to fix issues with spare and repair parts focusing on obsolescence mitigation, reliability improvement and/or cost reduction. More.
Journal of Cost Analysis and Parametrics Spring 202 Edition
Check out The Value of Professional Cost Estimation for IT and Software Projects, 2023 Professional Development & Training Workshop Preview, and more!
CBOhhhh, that's what they do
If you are a congressperson or a senator and you have an idea for a new piece of legislation, at some point someone will have to tell you how much it costs. But, how do you put a price on something that doesn't exist yet?
Since 1974, that has been the job of the Congressional Budget Office, or the CBO. The agency plays a critical role in the legislative process: bills can live and die by the cost estimates the CBO produces.
The economists and budget experts at the CBO, though, are far more than just a bunch of number crunchers. Sometimes, when the job is really at its most fun, they are basically tasked with predicting the future. The CBO has to estimate the cost of unreleased products and imagine markets that don't yet exist — and someone always hates the number they come up with.
On today's episode, we go inside the CBO to tell the twisting tale behind the pricing of a single piece of massive legislation — when the U.S. decided to finally cover prescription drug insurance for seniors. At the time, some of the drugs the CBO was trying to price didn't even exist yet. But the CBO still had to tell Congress how much the bill would cost — even though the agency knew better than anyone that its math would almost definitely be wrong. Listen at Planet Money.
Coming Events
32nd Annual GPC Government Procurement Conference at Walter E. Washington Convention Center [April 19, 2023]
This is a national conference fostering business partnership between the Federal Government, its prime contractors and small, minority, service-disabled veteran-owned, veteran-owned, HUBZone and women-owned businesses. GPC is the largest and longest-running conference for small businesses looking to do business with the government and its prime contractors. This unique one-day event attracts participants from all over the United States including:
A wide variety of government attendees representing Federal, State and Local agencies
Prime Contractors with teaming and mentor-protégé opportunities
Hundreds of small businesses offering products and services from numerous industries
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER AS AN ATTENDEE
The Military Operations Research Society (MORS) Cost Analysis Community of Practice (CoP) virtual meeting
The Military Operations Research Society (MORS) Cost Analysis Community of Practice (CoP) will be hosting a virtual meeting on Thursday, 6 April 2023 from 1200-1330 hours (ET). Mr. William Laing from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) will be providing an overview of the GAO’s Cost Estimating and Assessment Guide while Mr. John Ortiz and Mr. Paul Bauer will be providing an overview of the GAO’s Technology Readiness Assessment (TRA) Guide.
Originally released in March 2009, and re-released with updates in March 2020, the Cost Estimating and Assessment Guide presents the best practices associated with developing a reliable, high-quality cost estimate as well as the best practices associated with effective management of program costs using earned value management techniques. The guide is recognized as a valuable resource for estimators and analysts across the cost community.
First released as an exposure draft in August 2016, and formally released in January 2020, the TRA Guide provides TRA practitioners, program managers, technology developers, and governance bodies throughout the federal government a framework for better understanding technology maturity and best practices for conducting high-quality assessments. The TRA guide is a companion to the Cost Estimating and Assessment Guide as well as the GAO’s Schedule Assessment Guide.
To participate in the meeting, please see the information below:
Link: https://www.gotomeet.me/MORSMeeting50b/cost
Phone: +1 (646) 749-3122
Access Code: 682-280-445
If you have any questions, please contact the MORS Cost Analysis CoP Chair, Ms. Elena Heit, at elena.heit.ctr@usmc.mil.
The ICEAA 2023 Professional Development & Training Workshop May 16-18, 2023 at the Hyatt Regency Riverwalk in San Antonio, Texas
The International Cost Estimating and Analysis Association is pleased to present summaries of the presentations to be featured at our 2023 Professional Development & Training Workshop at the Hyatt Regency Riverwalk in San Antonio, Texas!
These presentations, written and presented by your peers in the academic, corporate, and government cost communities, are the cornerstone of the ICEAA Workshop and a unique opportunity to learn more about the most current theories, innovations, and practical applications in every aspect of the cost and cost-related fields.
64 sessions will be presented in eight thematic tracks over three days of breakout sessions, May 16-18, 2023:
Analytical Methods
Data Science
IT & Cloud Computing
Modeling & Case Studies
Processes & Best Practices
Software & Agile
Technical Innovations
Trending Topics
ICEAA looks forward to reuniting in San Antonio for three days of live discussions, meeting new (or longtime virtual) colleagues, and catching up with old friends. Details, registration, and hotel information are available at:
https://www.iceaaonline.com/sat2023
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2023 Navy Contracting Summit June 8-9, 2023 Virginia Beach, Virginia
The Navy and Marine Corps' proposed budget would increase from the $244.7 Billion Congress enacted for FY 2023 to almost $256 Billion for the next fiscal year. Find out how 2024 Defense Spending will translate into Contracting Opportunities for the Navy and Marine Corps by attending the 2023 Navy Contracting Summit!
Major funding in 2023 includes:
$31.9 Billion for shipbuilding, including 12 battle force ships; three DDG-51 Arleigh Burke Class destroyers; two Virginia Class submarines; two Expeditionary Medical Ships; one Constellation Class frigate; one America Class landing helicopter assault ship; one San Antonio class amphibious transport dock; one John Lewis Class fleet replenishment oiler; and one Navajo Class T-ATS fleet tug
$5.9 Billion to continue construction of the Columbia Class ballistic missile submarine
$748 Million towards strengthening the submarine industrial base
$327 Million for the Shipyard Infrastructure Optimization Plan to recapitalize our Navy shipyards
$17.4 Billion for Facilities Sustainment, Restoration & Modernization
$1.2 Billion for Pacific Deterrence Initiative Military Construction
An additional $191 Million for critical U.S. Indo-Pacific Command capabilities
In its 9th year, the 2023 Navy Contracting Summit will be held at the Virginia Beach Convention Center in Virginia Beach, Virginia near Naval Station Norfolk, Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Naval Air Station Oceana, Naval Weapons Station Yorktown, and more. The Summit brings together Navy Command & Base Officials, Contracting Officers, Contracting Experts, Financing Sources, and Business Leaders nationwide. Hundreds of Prime Contractors, Subcontractors, Military Officials, Contracting Officials, Financing Experts, and Defense Agencies from throughout the country registered to participate in-person and virtually at the 2022 Navy Contracting Summit.
The Summit features Members of Congress, Pentagon Officials, Multiple Navy Commands, Multiple Navy Bases,
Military Contracting Officers, Financing Sources, Prime Contractors, and Business Leaders nationwide.
To learn more about our upcoming Defense Contracting Summits, visit our website for more information: www.usdlf.org
Event Location & Lodging Details
Virginia Beach Convention Center
1000 19th Street
Virginia Beach, Virginia 23451
Phone: (757) 385-2000
Self-Parking: Complimentary
Website: Virginia Beach Convention Center
Lodging Details
Group Name: Navy Contracting Summit
Special Group Rate: Coming Soon
Rate Available: Coming Soon
That’s it for this edition of The CAMEL-See you next Hump Day! If you found this newsletter useful, consider becoming a paid subscriber, and tell a friend! If you didn’t like it…tell an enemy!
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