00:00The gentleman from Guam, Mr. Moylan. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And as the representative for Guam,
00:05I know firsthand how delays in defense acquisitions hurts readiness on the front lines of the Indo
00:12Pacific. Guam is vital to our national security, but outdated process and supply chain gaps too
00:20often leave us waiting. Reforming the system isn't just about speed, it's about making sure
00:27capabilities reach forward deployed locations like Guam where and when they are needed. That
00:35means cutting red tape, expanding opportunities for local contractors, and treating our island
00:40as a logistical hub that it is. So first question, Under Secretary, please. Guam and other U.S.
00:49territories often face unique barriers when competing for defense contracts, including
00:55distance from decision makers and lack of streamlined acquisition pathways. How does the department
01:01ensure, how is the department ensuring that territories like Guam are not left behind as
01:08we modernize the defense industry base? Congressman, thank you for your question. And
01:15I'd be happy to work with you and your team to think that through. That, you know, we are
01:19making, and I'm the milestone decision authority for the defense of Guam system, which is making a
01:26significant investment in the island. And to the extent that it would make sense, that seems like a
01:33great opportunity to create partnership there. So I'd be happy to work with you and your team to ensure
01:38that we're taking full advantage of that. Appreciate that. And you've got to come and visit as well.
01:45Next question goes for any one of the witnesses, please. Now, small business, especially in
01:50geographically isolated regions, face disproportionate administrative burdens in navigating DFARS and FAR
01:59regulations. How will the SPEED Act and EO implementation reduce the compliance burden and expand access to local
02:07territorial vendors? Well, I can speak to that. We do have, thanks to the executive orders from the White
02:18House, a committed effort to examining and streamlining the FAR and DFARS. And I expect that would apply
02:24to all businesses and territories and CONUS. That'll be an aggressive effort and part of our overall
02:33acquisition reform strategy to find ways to ease the pathway for businesses to compete for contracts.
02:42Excellent. And last question for the doctor and Mr. Bailey. With Guam's forward posture in the Indo-Pacific,
02:50even minor acquisitions delay can ripple into major readiness shortfalls. Now, what specific reforms are
02:57being pursued to ensure rapid contracting sustainment and delivery capabilities to the forward locations
03:05like Guam are available?
03:11Thank you for the focus on that kind of issue. You take a look, especially with the theme coming out of
03:16the SPEED Act on the focus on the acquisition workforce. Our contracting community has spent quite a bit of
03:25time on their culture and the climate that they profess, right? So they are mission-focused business
03:30leaders out there to get out to those locations, to see what's going on and figure out how to bring
03:36their expertise to bear and all the tools that we talk about here, OTs for small business enablement,
03:44looking at flexible contracting strategies, open architectures, all to provide them the best solutions
03:52possible. All right. Thank you very much. And Under Secretary, I appreciate you. Then we'll be
04:01making contact and be sure to get you over to Guam as a visit as well. Thank you. I look forward to it.
04:05Thank you. Thank you to the panel and thank you, Mr. Chair.
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