DIIG Current Issues No. 8: The President's Government Contracting Review

Sound companies always benefit from smarter customers. That is why the defense industry may feel some hope from President Obama’s memo of March 4, the “Memorandum for The Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies” on “Government Contracting.” Coupled with his words in the public announcement at the time, this memo offers the possibility that the Department of Defense (DoD) and the federal government will move toward a policy framework and a broad strategy for managing contractors. The question is, how can the Administration realize this potential from its announced contracting review? The political climate for the defense industry is complex and difficult, and this government review will help only if it is done right.