House Appropriation Committee

Yes, the Defense Acquisition system is broken, and urgent action is needed to address these problems. Markup the NDAA for FY 2026 to rescind the DFAREarned Value Management System clause. Enables contractors and DoD program managers to report false, misleading cost and schedule performance and to avoid awareness of a Nunn-McCurdy breach. Measure progress towards developing the product but not towards the quantity of work completed. This metric is also needed in the digital engineering ecosystem.

GAO: Key practices of leading companies include, establish a minimum viable product (MVP), use digital twinning, use digital threads, adopt modern DE tools. Failure will enable traditional contractors to submit false cost and schedule status reports that are based on manipulated, botched metrics and to avoid awareness of Nunn-McCurdy breaches.  My request: Eliminate EVMS clause and oversee implementation of the iterative process and the DE ecosystem, including DE tools and outcome-based metrics.

Oakley GAO Testimony: Design reflects a MVP, real-time digital thread, digital twinning. 

My request: Please collaborate with DoD, HASC, and SASC to mark up the NDAA for FY 2026. Eliminate burdensome DFARS EVMS clause and its manipulated metrics. Oversee implementation of the iterative process and the DE ecosystem, including DE tools and outcome-based metrics. Monitor DoD’s implementation of the best practices cited in the Defense Acquisition Magazine articles.  

I previously supported Henry Waxman, Ike Skelton, and John McCain on oversight, legislation, and acquisition reform. Please take up their mantles by doing the following:

1. Provide oversight of the Collaborative Combat Aircraft Increment 1 Program (CCA) regarding the use of DE and outcome-based metrics during quarterly briefings that are directed by H.R. 4016; H. Rept. 119-162. 

2. Eliminate the burdensome DFARS EVMS clause and its manipulated metrics.