The Foreign Service Journal, April 2004

services, ranging from simple to highly sophisticated, that are vital to national security, and have been doing so for several decades. One key reason for DOD’s extensive reliance on competitive contracting is that any money saved on con- tracted-out services can be rede- ployed to direct defense needs, and frees up highly trained uniformed personnel for more vital tasks. Examples of national security services that have been successfully contracted out range from military housing, food ser- vice and tank repair, to communications, supply man- agement and aircraft maintenance, including the B-2 Stealth bomber. As is evident from the military’s recent swift victories in Afghanistan and Iraq, DOD’s aggressive use of competitive contracting does not seem to have undermined the per- formance of our fighting forces. Indeed, as more information be- comes available on the recent con- flict with Iraq, it is apparent that contractors have played a signifi- cant role in the war effort, and many of their responsibilities invol- ved highly sophisticated and sensi- tive tasks. Formidable Opposition Despite the success of competi- tive contracting at the federal, state and local levels, opposition remains formidable. During 2003 provi- sions protecting influential groups of workers were included in several pieces of legislation introduced in Congress, chief among them the bills passed by both the House and Senate to reauthorize the Federal F O C U S A P R I L 2 0 0 4 / F O R E I G N S E R V I C E J O U R N A L 45 SERVING THOSE WHO SERVE AMERICA S I NCE 1 9 7 1 2004 represents our 34 th year helping to maintain America’s fleet of vehicles throughout the world. All of us at D & M consider it an honor to have worked with all of you through these years. We are aware of the importance of your official and private vehicles, forklifts, generators, tools and equipment. We look forward to continuing this service in a professional manner. We are here to help, just ask! Gary Vlahov www.dmauto.com (516) 822-6662; FAX: (516) 822-5020; E-mail: info@dmauto.com In the end, barely 3 percent of the State Department work force is exposed to the possibility of competitive contracting.