NDIA Industrial Base Initiative

The National Defense Industrial Association has launched a new initiative to identify issues of concern in the nation’s defense supplier base. Led by NDIA Senior Fellow Brett Lambert — who recently served as the Defense Department’s director of industrial policy — the effort will mirror, to the extent possible, the sector-by-sector, tier-by-tier study of the industrial base that Lambert spearheaded at DoD.

The goal is to "provide actionable, fact-based data to DoD about critical and fragile industrial base suppliers," Lambert said.

NDIA is looking for a mix of perspectives on the industrial base from large, medium and small companies from both the defense and commercial industries that support national security.

Over the coming months, based on participants’ input, NDIA will identify targeted areas of potential concern in each sector and provide overarching recommendations that could benefit the entire base and the Defense Department. The intent is to recommend potential remedies unique to the sectors and tiers that could be broadly applied using existing authorities and vehicles.

The goal is to draft an initial report and findings for review by NDIA peer group in June, and share findings with the Defense Department later this summer.

All NDIA members can offer important input as the Defense Department attempts to address industrial base vulnerabilities over the coming years. Members can provide data and input at the following link: http://www.ndia.org/industrialbase/

The webpage includes a fillable form of questions dealing with the specifics of an industrial base vulnerability. NDIA staff will review and acknowledge all inputs. These inputs will be aggregated and will be reviewed only by NDIA staff.

Participants may be contacted for further details and fact-finding. All information provided through the form will be treated confidentially by NDIA. No company-specific data will be shared outside the organization without the express written permission of the firm submitting the information.

Members can direct any questions to industrialbase@ndia.org.

Topics: Business Trends, Defense Contracting, Defense Department