On the recordJune 2, 2015
As a small-business man and a supporter of the private sector, I wish to commend the committee for the inclusion of report language which states: ``The committee encourages NOAA to purchase services from the private sector when such services are available, cost effective, and practicable.'' As my friend from Texas knows, NOAA operates a fleet of survey ships for nautical charting as well as a fleet of survey aircraft for aerial photography and LIDAR for mapping. However, the inspector general of the Department of Commerce has long recommended that the aircraft fleet be privatized, as aerial survey operations are better, faster, and less expensive when purchased from the private sector. In fact, the inspector general found NOAA survey operations cost 42 percent more than the private sector, which was then confirmed by a second NOAA- commissioned study. Rather than accept these cost savings and productivity improvement requirements, NOAA has continually acquired new planes, new aerial sensors, and new ships. This is not only poor stewardship of taxpayer money and inefficient use of resources, but results in the government duplicating and directly competing with private enterprise. There are numerous companies, including small businesses, ready and able to perform these services for NOAA at a reduced cost and increased quality.…
