This requires consistent emphasis of the Energy
Efficiency KPP at each stage of the JCIDs process until
the capability package is through the Joint Readiness
Oversight Council (JROC) and finally results in the
Initial Capabilities Document (ICD) to start the acqui-
sition cycle. The ICD then becomes a foundation doc-
ument in the acquisition process for the government
and the contractor as the system progresses through
the acquisition milestones. It also influences the lan-
guage used in the procurement contracts.
Sustainability Considerations in Contract Language
Request for Proposal
Leveraging the research and technology assets from
private industry is an absolute must in this era where
the demand for sustainable products is being driven
from several sectors besides defense. The Army needs
to capitalize on this trend by insisting that contracting
efforts incorporate language that makes sustainability
part of the deliverable, whether it be a product or ser-
vice. Dr. Ashton Carter, Under Secretary of Defense
for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics, published
a memo in September 2010 to the Service Secretaries
mandating increased focus on executing efficient ac-
quisition contracts. His memo states: “Real competi-
tion is the single most powerful tool available to the
Department to drive productivity....Competition is
not always available, but evidence suggests that the
government is not availing itself of all possible com-
petitive situations” (Carter 2010a, 9).
The first opportunity to energize contractor inter-
est in sustainability goals is in the Request for Pro-
posal (RFP) that provides information to prospective
bidders on the scope of the contract and the criteria