John McCain

The Department has adopted an organizational structure consistent with the intent of WSARA and with most efficient and effective performance of the test and evaluation function.

Mr. Kendall, in your responses to the advance policy questions, you cited your decision to reinstate the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle.

Mr. Kendall, the main focus of the Weapon Systems Acquisition Reform Act of 2009 (WSARA), which applies to new programs and seeks to have major defense acquisition programs start off right, requires that early investment decisions be…

Mr. Kendall, will you allow production decisions to be made prior to the prototyping and testing of these vehicles and/or their subsystems?

I am concerned that as these programs move forward in development, their requirements may change again, resulting--predictably--in major cost overruns.

You seem to be more confident in the ability of DOD's processes, organizations, and people (i.e. skill-sets and core competencies) to identify, price, and manage risk than I am.

Mr. Kendall, if you find any of the programs to not be useful as to their intended purposes, would you inform this committee of such a determination?

Mr. Kendall, why did DOD specifically not request funding for any of these programs in fiscal year 2013?

I do believe that the success of the Department's energy strategy, which focuses on improving energy efficiency and diversifying energy supplies, is critical to national security.

I firmly believe that the principal of 'fly before you buy' is a well established best practice.

If you are confirmed, how would you leverage the private sector's investment in commercial technologies and certifications to achieve efficiencies?

Urgent Operational Needs are further defined as capability requirements that if left unfulfilled, potentially result in loss of life or critical mission failure.

Mr. Kendall, if the block-buy results in excess inventory, what specific launch opportunities will be open to competition?

Introducing more competition for launch as soon as feasible is the key to controlling spiraling launch costs.

Mr. Kendall, this committee directed your office in its report for the NDAA for Fiscal Year 2012 to provide to Congress no later than March 1, 2012, your views on a study conducted by the Logistics Management Institute on the capability of…

Mr. Kendall, what confidence do you have in the Army's ability to effectively assess the technological risks associated with the maturity of weapons systems and GCV, in particular?

Senator McCain. Mr. Kendall, to the best of your knowledge, what is the current status of DOD's implementation of these provisions?

Mr. Kendall, to what extent could a new entrant compete for launches that have been bought during the block-buy?

Mr. Kendall, to what extent would DOD be subjected to substantial termination liability should it elect to procure launch services from new entrants during the duration of the block-buy procurement period?

I sent Secretary of Defense Panetta a letter asking him to explain DOD's position on the Medium Extended Air Defense System (MEADS) program.

It is critical that it be restructured to comply with WSARA's key requirements

Mr. Kendall, will the report satisfy all requirements requested by the committee?

Senator McCain. Mr. Kendall, the NDAA for Fiscal Year 2012 contained two controversial provisions regarding military depots. Are you aware of the provisions?

A big problem with how DOD buys major systems is this: it has tended to go all in on these procurement programs without understanding enough about their technical or systems engineering to assess whether developing them may have too much…

Mr. Kendall, section 805 of the NDAA for Fiscal Year 2010 regarding lifecycle management, called for product support managers to maximize competition...