2002 Packard Awards six DoD agencies honored for Acquisition Excellence

Program Manager, July-August, 2002

Six DoD Agencies Honored for Acquisition Excellence

WASHINGTON (June 18, 2002)--Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Pete Aldridge today presented the David Packard Excellence in Acquisition Award to six Department of Defense teams at a Pentagon ceremony The Packard Award is given to DoD civilian and/or military organizations, groups, and teams who have made highly significant contributions or demonstrated exemplary innovations and best practices in the Defense acquisition process.

The Joint Biological Point Defense System (JBPDS) Integrated Product Team, led by the U.S. Army, received the Packard Award for its performance in the accelerated deployment of a biological detection system after Sept. 11.

The Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM) System Program, led by the U.S. Air Force, received the Packard Award for its innovative teaming arrangements with industry and government agencies, providing the conventional long-range, air-launched cruise missile in one-third of the time and at half the unit price of comparable programs. JASSM provides autonomous precision attack capability against heavily defended, high-value, fixed and relocatable targets, and is designed for launch from U.S. Air Force bombers, and U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy fighter aircraft.

The U.S. Special Operations Command received the Packard Award for its implementation of innovative acquisition approaches in developing the Multi-role Anti-armor Anti-personnel Weapon System.

The Geosynchronous Lightweight Technology Experiment Program office of the National Reconnaissance Office received the Packard Award for superior program management and innovative acquisition practices in developing and deploying the GeoLITE satellite, which may revolutionize space-based communications.

The Theater High Altitude Area Defense Logistics Team of the Missile Defense Agency received the Packard Award for developing several innovative logistics concepts that potentially reduce operation and support costs throughout the system's service life.

The Pentagon Renovation (PENREN) Team received the Packard Award for its handling of emergency actions necessary to begin rescue, recovery, investigation, and reconstruction activity in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attack on the Pentagon.

The Packard Award, the Department's highest acquisition award, is named in honor of the late David Packard, a former Deputy Secretary of Defense during the Nixon administration. He was also the co-founder and chairman of the Hewlett-Packard Co. and chairman of the President's Blue Ribbon Commission on Defense Management chartered by President Ronald Reagan in 1985. Packard was a strong advocate of excellence in defense acquisition practices.

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