In order to understand how these changes impact the manner in which the DOD conducts its missions and the ultimate impact on local economies, we must first review a summary of government acquisition and defense strategies. In recent years, the DOD has changed the way it acquires its goods and services. This critical shift in paradigm represents an acknowledgement that contracting for goods and services using commercial practices results in cost savings. Each of these programs requires that government use the most efficient and cost-effective approach to the acquisition of goods and services. A more focused review of spending results in dollars being distributed to those programs that support specific, defined goals and can be achieved at a reasonable cost.
Cost then becomes a greater determining factor when the government makes acquisition decisions.
According to the DOD, BRAC actions are conducted to reduce defense spending, align base structure with force structure, and reallocate dollars to programs such as the retention of quality military personnel and future weapons systems development. These figures do not include the cost of environmental cleanup, as the GAO report noted. A key factor in the disposal of military property will depend upon the efficient cleanup of military sites. Most sites will be monitored well beyond 2001, but an improved and expedited cleanup process, which was initiated in 1993, should lead to a shorter monitoring period and a smaller scope of sites to be monitored. Pending Congressional approval, the next two BRAC rounds are tentatively scheduled for 2001 and 2005.