Summary

Summary of the whole progect

The purpose of this research study was to evaluate the delays in Foreign Military Sales requisitions or sales orders and contract initiation by the Item Managers of the Integrated Weapon Systems Team (Code 03) and the Contracts Division (Code 02) of the Naval Supply Systems Command, Weapon Systems Support- Philadelphia and to find out the correlation between the current lack of information about the FMS program and the delays. Also, the research evaluated on how the availability of FMS information can have a relational effect on reversing these delays. The analysis looked at yearly sales revenue generated by the FMS programs of different Department of Defense divisions, departments and agencies including NAVSUP- WSS. Hard to locate job data was also examined in addition to the relationship building opportunities produced by the program. Also, the study evaluated the different U.S. Government agencies and private contractors that took advantage of both tangible and intangible benefits of the FMS program and how it NAVSUP WSS- Philadephia can use the same data and correlate the relationship between the FMS workload delays caused by the non-FMS employee perceptions and the availability of information.

Conclusions (required)

After reviewing the data collected in the program evaluation, it is concluded that providing non-FMS employees information such as the benefits of FMS and how it can have a positive impact to the overall macro and local economy can have an impact in the perception of the FMS program, which would then positively affect the less than satisfactory metrics concerning Code 02 and 03 FMS workloads. In order to efficiently disburse the information, it be made available to all age groups presently working at NAVSUP- WSS and each group since each has its way of acquiring information. Hence, different training methods should be used in order to better relate the availability of FMS information to the upward swing of FMS metrics at Codes 02 and 03.

Recommendations (required)

The information extracted and analyzed for this study that were not readily available to non-FMS employees of NAVSUP- WSS should be distributed correctly and effectively in order to gain the best results. Manuals on how to pass FMS sales orders through different systems, and desk guides on how to initiate FMS contracts are all available, but it has been observed that even manuals and desk guides alone are not effective if the employees are not properly trained. There are several methods of training readily available at NAVSUP- WSS that other Codes use in order to get information about their divisions transferred to other Codes. Code 02 and 03 are two divisions that are very good at cross training their personnel, and FMS should utilize these resources and should get an agreement with both Codes to include it with its cross training events. These cross training events include traditional classroom training done at least once a month on general and specific topics which range from processing workload in a specific system to fun and interesting facts about their division. Each classroom style training lasts for an hour and copies of each training presentation are posted in the shared drive accessible to any employee who needs it.

Another recommendation is to do batch training to speed up the desired results by allowing all employees from the helicopter IWSTs and Contracting teams to go first since NAVUP WSS- Philadelphia has more interaction with these divisions than any other divisions of both Codes 02 and 03. Then the F-18 team and its Contracting counterpart should be trained next, then “other aircrafts” divisions and their Contracting colleagues should go after. Finally the Common Avionics and Engines IWSTs and the Code 02 divisions associated with them will receive their FMS training.

It is also recommended that Code OF or FMS forge an agreement with the two codes regarding employee rotation. It is through these rotational training where non-FMS employees can get hands on experience of the different programs and teams in FMS and vice-versa. This is also a chance for FMS to build rapport with their non-FMS counterpart. Relationship created between FMS employees, Item Managers and Contract Specialists during these rotational training can have a greater impact than any other mode of training available. It is through these training methods that FMS can increase its visibility and share their knowledge and highlight its benefits to the Command and the greater Department of Defense community.