Determining the Value of Automation in Commercial and USAF Supplier Evaluation Systems

The US Air Force has determined that improving the way we manage our supply chain is key to reducing operating costs and subsequently providing better support to the warfighter. One method of improving supply chain management is to streamline the way suppliers are evaluated. This study compared the efforts of private industry with government program offices in terms of supplier evaluation techniques. The expert panel from private companies was identified because of their association with the aerospace industry. Government employees were identified because of their recent contract pre-award and post-award experience. Input was received through the use of open-ended interview questions and was later analyzed for content. Pattern matching analysis was used to determine the best practices of private and government entities and to determine the differences between government and private industry in terms of their supplier evaluation techniques. The findings of the study did not mention the names of those interviewed but rather the organization they were associated with