In this episode of Building the Base, Lauren and Hondo sit down with Eric Lofgren, a professional staff member on the Senate Armed Services Committee. Eric provides an insider's perspective on the need for comprehensive acquisition reform. He discusses his unexpected path to this role, initially joining a defense contractor before becoming deeply interested in the history and economics of the system. Eric emphasizes the FoRGED Act's goal of being a "game changer" by addressing requirements, contracting, budgeting, and cultural factors. He highlights the importance of engaging industry, especially non-traditional companies, to inform policy changes. Eric's insights underscore the complexity of acquisition reform and the call for bold, integrated solutions to modernize defense procurement.

Five key takeaways from today's episode:

1. Eric is currently working with Chairman Wicker and SASC members to champion the ​FoRGED (Fostering Reform and Government Efficiency in Defense) Act​. Exec Sum here: ​Restoring Freedom’s Forge: American Innovation Unleashed​
2. A dedicated student of history, Eric has logged many hours in the Pentagon Library to learn the historical context of past acquisition models, rather than just iterating on the current system.
3. Eric initially took a job at a defense contractor after graduating, thinking it would just be a two-year stint, but he became attached to the mission and started delving into the history and economics of defense acquisition, which ultimately led him to his current role on the Senate Armed Services Committee.
4. Engaging with industry, especially non-traditional/commercial companies, is crucial to understand challenges and inform policy changes. The professional staff of ​SASC​ welcomes direct outreach.
5. Eric recommends "cutting the red tape" by reviewing and eliminating outdated or unnecessary pilot programs, reporting requirements, and other regulatory burdens that are not providing value to the DoD acquisition process.