BLOCK CHANGE MODIFICATIONS AT TEXAS INSTRUMENTS
Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Technology Paul Kaminskiannounced today that two block change modifications impacting 770 contracts atTexas Instruments, Dallas, Texas, were signed on April 4, 1996.
Themodifications were signed by a representative of Texas Instruments and theAdministrative Contracting Officer at the Defense Contract Management Command(DCMC) field office at Texas Instruments.
The modifications were the firstsigned under the Department's Single Process Initiative since it was announcedby Secretary of Defense William Perry in December 1995.
The Single Process Initiative is designed to lead to the use of commonprocesses and performance specifications on existing Department of Defensecontracts.
Using a "block change" modification approach, it involves theconsolidation or elimination of multiple processes, specifications andstandards in all contracts on a facility-widebasis, rather than on a contract-by-contract basis.
The modifications at Texas Instruments are for the following:
a.
Block Change Modification ARZ998 concerns the use of paint and primermaterials in the metals fabrication process.
This block change modification isa result of partnering efforts by Texas Instruments and the Joint LogisticsCommanders' Joint Group on Acquisition Pollution Prevention (JG-APP).
Themodification deletes four different military specifications and substitutesTexas Instruments' single process specifications for alternative coatings.
Itwill reduce environmental emissions associated with these contracts by over 40percent.
b.
Block Change Modification ARZ999 concerns quality systems, soldering,workmanship and quality standards, inspection, encapsulation, electrostaticdischarge protection, factory environment, and equipment calibration concerningthe assembly process.
The modification deletes 19 different military orservice specific specifications and substitutes the Texas Instruments standardprocedure.
The JG-APP, chartered by the Joint Logistics Commanders and endorsed by theDeputy Under Secretary of Defense for Environmental Security, began its effortsin September 1994.
Begun as an early environmental security/acquisition reformeffort to reduce and/or eliminate hazardous materials from major weaponssystems, it focuses on identifying a common manufacturing process acrossmultiple component contracts to provide environmental benefits and costsavings/avoidances throughout the weapon system life-cycle.
In addition to representing the first successes of the JG-APP and SingleProcess Initiatives, the Texas Instruments modifications also demonstrate thesynergy that results from the complementary interaction of the Department'senvironmental security and overall acquisition reform efforts.
The benefits ofthis action are more efficient, consistent, environmentally benign, stableprocesses; with greater ease of contract administration for both contractor andgovernment; and savings for the taxpayer.
