[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 116 (Wednesday, July 29, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2073]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               COAST GUARD ACQUISITION REFORM ACT OF 2009

                                 ______
                                 

                               SPEECH OF

                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 28, 2009

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of 
H.R. 1665, the ``Coast Guard Acquisition Reform Act of 2009.''
  The Coast Guard is a valiant agency, one that is dedicated to saving 
lives and securing our nation's maritime borders.
  Last year, Coast Guard men and women:
  Responded to more than 24,000 search and rescue cases;
  Saved more than 4,000 lives;
  Interdicted nearly 5,000 individuals attempting to enter the United 
States illegally;
  Deployed 400 personnel to protect Iraq's maritime oil infrastructure, 
train Iraqi naval forces, and enforce U.N. sanctions in the Arabian 
Gulf;
  Boarded more than 1,500 high interest vessels bound for the United 
States for security inspections; and
  Provided waterside security and escorts for nearly 500 military 
vessels that deliver supplies to support Operation Iraqi Freedom and 
Operation Enduring Freedom.
  The Coast Guard did all of this on ships that are thirty (30) to 
forty (40) years old.
  Currently, the Coast Guard is building new assets, including the 
``National Security Cutters'' and the ``Fast Response Cutters'' under 
the $24 billion Deepwater fleet modernization program.
  Initially, when Deepwater first began in 2002, the Coast Guard 
delegated responsibility as lead system integrator to a private firm.
  By all accounts, this delegation of responsibility led to poor 
workmanship, skyrocketing costs, and ships that didn't float.
  In response, in 2007, Coast Guard Commandant Thad Allen took the helm 
of this struggling program and assumed the lead integrator role.
  Over the past two years, Admiral Allen has made significant changes 
to the acquisition and procurement processes within the Coast Guard.
  This was a good development, but as recent Government Accountability 
Office reports note, it is not enough.
  GAO found that the current contracts are not in full compliance with 
the Department of Homeland Security's acquisition directives.
  Additionally, GAO found that critical logistical support plans have 
not been completed.
  Logistical support plans are necessary for the Coast Guard to 
understand the out-year costs associated with the new cutters.
  If enacted, H.R. 1665 can help steer the Deepwater program on the 
right course.
  Specifically, the bill revises the Coast Guard acquisition policy by 
mandating the development and regular updating of life-cycle cost 
estimates and a master plan for testing and evaluation.
  The bill also requires ``full and open competition'' for any 
acquisition contract, unless otherwise excepted under Federal 
acquisition laws and regulations.
  Lastly, the bill establishes a Chief Acquisition Officer and requires 
that program managers for certain acquisitions hold a specified 
acquisition certification.
  These important reforms to the acquisitions process at the Coast 
Guard will not only ensure that taxpayer dollars are used wisely but 
that the Coast Guard has the assets it needs to continue to fulfill all 
its critical missions.
  I urge all my colleagues to support H.R. 1665.

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