Air Force "Phase IV" Computer System Acquisition Program

The Air Force's overall objective in the Phase IV program is to provide cost effective, responsive, and reliable computer support for a variety of its base-level administrative and operating functions. The Phase IV request for proposals calls for two separate computer systems to be located in most cases in two different facilities at major air bases. The Air Force's stated requirement for two complete computer systems has never been justified as mission essential or an operational necessity. The need for two computer systems was established without an adequate study of user requirements. The two systems would probably result in 600 million to 1 billion dollars in additional cost over the 20 year expected life of the program. The Air Force Phase IV Program does not meet the goals of an economical and effective acquisition of computer systems. It also would most likely commit the Air Force to a more expensive solution than necessary to fully satisfy its base-level needs. Because of the much higher cost of the two-computer system minimum requirement, as well as the restrictive effect on competition of this and other terms, conditions, and specifications of the request for proposals, it would be in the best interest of both the Government and the Air Force to cancel the current request for proposals for replacement of computer systems. A simpler, more flexible request for proposals should be developed around a more functional and performance oriented set of requirements.