Peter Adam

The Tomahawk missile barrage fired into Syria opened a new era that will likely lead to more federal proposal activity.  By trashing Al-Shayrat Airfield, president Trump demonstrated that he is ready to punish those who dare to cross a line drawn in the sand.  This more muscular approach comes with a hefty price tag.  And it is our duty to help the Government select the best products to fight tyranny through our diligent proposal work.

Coming Deluge of DoD Procurement

A Pile of Rubble – Tomahawk Missiles launched from US Navy destroyers quickly found their target and destroyed part of Syria’s Al-Shayrat Airfield.

Strong support for last week’s strike in Congress provides a barometric reading as to prospects for the president’s proposed $54B increase in military spending.  According to Time magazine, “Top-ranking lawmakers in both parties applauded the missile strike,” and Western allies “offered strong backing.”  The positive reaction of leading congressmen suggests that the odds for a substantial increase in military spending – if not the full $54B —  have improved substantially.

So the contracting community has now been put on notice: sleeve-roll-up time is here — better be ready to get to work to ensure that the military remains ready to fire not only warning shots like this, but whatever else may come.

Anchors Away – Projections for the Fleet

The overall game-plan for strengthening the US military, as reflected in the administration’s budget as well as in the Navy’s New Force Structure Plan, can be found in a White Paper entitled “Restoring American Power.”

Prepared under the auspices of Senator John McCain, Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, this document calls for a $430-billion, five-year boost in defense spending over previous levels. It shows just how significant the administration’s military build-up could be, across the board.

The fleet called for in all the aforementioned plans would consist of 355 ships, up 47 from the previously planned 308. The greatest increase comes in large high-end surface vessels and attack submarines.  Specifically:  An additional 18 attack subs, 16 more guided-missile cruisers and destroyers — and one additional aircraft carrier. The size of the amphibious fleet will be increased too, but not so significantly.

It’s no wonder that shipbuilders, now scanning the horizon for new contracts soon to be forthcoming, are ramping up their yards to full capacity. The Shipbuilders Council of American expects the 355-ship Navy will add more than 50,000 jobs nation-wide.

On Land and in the Air

When it comes to other service specifics, the administration’s plans are less developed.  Broadly speaking, they call for an additional 60,000 soldiers to serve on active duty in the Army, an unspecified number of additional sailors for the built up fleet, up to 12,000 more leathernecks to serve in Marine Corps’ infantry and armor units, and, for the Air Force, at least an additional100 combat aircraft.

Proposal Writers – Help Prepare for What’s to Come

A boost in Pentagon spending would ensure that US military forces are readier than ever to hurl Tomahawk missiles and other such whenever required.  Someone said that, when Vladimir Putin heard an increase in U.S. defense spending will likely pass, he had to go change his pants.

While the contracting community prepares for the raft of DOD RFPs to come, proposal personnel can prepare to gladly shoulder their part of the burden in the forthcoming offensive.