Engility, Harris Execs Say USAF Makes Strides in Space Tech Acquisition Process

Some industry executives said they believe the U.S. Air Force has initiated measures to expedite the process of awarding space-related contracts in an effort to immediately address gaps, Defense One reported Tuesday.

“What I’ve seen in the last year is it’s moved from rhetoric to reality and it’s really impacting this industry,” Bill Gattle, president of space and intelligence systems segment at Harris, said of the service’s acquisition process for space projects.

“We’re seeing them sign orders that basically allow them to expedite, due to urgent needs, and get those capabilities,” Gattle added.

Lynn Dugle, Engility chairman, president and CEO and a 2018 Wash100 recipient, told the publication in an interview that the Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center and other agencies have adopted an accelerated process to procurement.

Dugle also cited the office of the defense secretary’s decision to provide service branches with some purchasing authorities.