Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) announced the establishment of the Acquisition and Commonality directorate April 14.
The new directorate, led by Rear Adm. Thomas Kearney, focuses on lowering acquisition costs and reducing the number of unique components such as valves in the Navy’s ships and systems. It also increases the sea service’s ability to incorporate and update new capabilities when considered as part of an item’s lifecycle strategy.
“This directorate brings together billets and personnel dedicated to moving forward commonality of people, parts and processes through promoting and enabling exchange within government and between government and industry,” said Kearney. “Creating a new directorate to lead this effort is a testament to NAVSEA’s dedication to reducing acquisition and lifecycle costs, and to improving the development and operation of the acquisition workforce’s program management competency.”
Aligning to the command’s strategic business plan, the new directorate serves as the central point of contact for policy, common business processes, and tools for systems commonality, acquisition policy, and the National Shipbuilding Research Program. It also functions as the contact and primary interface between NAVSEA and the Naval Expeditionary Combat Enterprise/Naval Expeditionary Combat Command for all matters pertaining to acquisition and in-service support of Expeditionary Missions and Navy Small Arms programs. Additionally, Kearney serves as Milestone Decision Authority for several Expeditionary Missions programs.
[mappress] Press Release, April 15, 2014; Image: NAVSEA