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Original Date: 05/01/2000
Revision Date: 01/18/2007
Information : Process Oriented Contract Administration Services
In June 1992, Northrop Grumman Defensive Systems Division (DSD) and the Defense Contracts Management Agency (DCMA) set up a government initiative known as the Process Oriented Contract Administration Services (PROCAS). Prior to the PROCAS initiative, few formal contractor/customer mechanisms existed to address problems, resolve issues, or facilitate improvement initiatives. The PROCAS uses a robust team effort to ensure quality products, improve communications, and develop consistent processes. PROCAS teams develop process improvements which are beneficial to both participants, monitor progress, and provide status and visibility.
New and revised government regulations, changing standards, antiquated specifications, and a dynamic defense environment constantly present new challenges for Northrop Grumman DSD and the DCMA. To deal with these challenges, PROCAS teams address current issues, management processes and systems, production processing, and specific hardware issues. To date, eight teams have completed their tasks and progressed to the adjusted management stage. Among them are Calibration Conversion, Subcontract Flowdown, Electron Tube Process, and Inspection & Test. Four teams are currently active at Northrop Grumman DSD: On Time Delivery, Final Overhead Rates, Earned Value Management System, and ISO-9000 Conversion.
In addition to the team efforts, Oversight and Management Council monthly meetings are held to monitor the organizational status. Quarterly status briefings for management and weekly team action meetings round out the process into an effective management tool. The PROCAS provides many benefits to Northrop Grumman DSD and its customers including enhanced communications, mutual respect, consensus priorities for improvement initiatives, and significant savings and achievements from PROCAS efforts and Single Process Initiatives (SPIs). The PROCAS initiative also fosters the DCMA’s confidence in Northrop Grumman DSD’s systems, and is a factor that allowed them to discontinue the in-process inspection and hardware acceptance based on that confidence. In turn, Northrop Grumman DSD is able to quickly move hardware through the production process without awaiting the DCMA’s review and approval.
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