DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE AND TEXAS INSTRUMENTS ANNOUNCE SINGLE PROCESS INITIATIVE BLOCK CHANGE MODIFICATION

Principal Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and TechnologyNoel Longuemare yesterday spoke at Texas Instruments Inc., Lewisville, Texas,to commend the Joint Logistics Commanders' Joint Group on Acquisition PollutionPrevention (JG-APP) for using the Department of Defense Single ProcessInitiative to lower environmental emissions. The JG-APP used the SingleProcess Initiative to facilitate a block change modification that lowers theemissions associated with the use of paint primers and topcoats.

DoD and Texas Instruments signed the block change modification affecting 151contracts on April 4, 1996. The modification was the one of two sets ofmodifications signed first under the Department's Single Process Initiativesince it was announced by Secretary of Defense Perry in December 1995.

The Single Process Initiative is designed to lead to the use of commonprocesses and performance specifications on existing DoD contracts. Using a"block change" modification approach involves the consolidation or eliminationof multiple processes, specifications, and standards in all contracts on afacility-widebasis, rather than on a contract-by-contract basis.

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 effort to reduceand eliminate hazardous materials from major weapons systems, the JG-APPinitiative focuses on identifying common manufacturing processes acrossmultiple component contracts to provide environmental benefits and costavoidance's throughout the weapon system life-cycle. In addition to TexasInstruments, the JG-APP is working with six other prime contractors to achievethese same environmental benefits and avoid costs.

"I think that the signing of these block changes shows that if acquisitionreform is done smartly we can do more than save money and increase efficiency:we can provide safer

environment in which to work for both our contractors and our DOD personnel,"said Longuemare at the ceremony.

Through the coordinating efforts of the JG-APP, Texas Instruments was able toswitch from using primers and topcoats required in 151 contracts that had highamounts of volatile organic compounds to primers and topcoats that are lower involatile organic compounds. The use of the less environmentally harmfulpainting materials will lower environmental emissions plant-wide by as much as80 percent for some applications and 40 percent for others. The use of theprimers will also reduce emissions when used at DoD installations that maintainthe Texas Instruments-manufactured equipment. Lower environmental emissionsalso decrease the amount of the hazardous waste stream requiring regulatoryoversight that accommodates the current primers and topcoats applications.

Benefits of this action are more efficient, consistent, environmentallybenign, and stable processes, with greater ease of contract administration forboth contractor and government, and savings for the taxpayer. Longuemare notedthat the JG-APP is posed to replicate this success across the country.