DOD group approves biz projects

A Defense Department group established to improve and streamline the Pentagon's business processes has approved another four initiatives designed to help it do just that.

The Business Initiative Council (BIC) was established in June 2001 by Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld to improve Defense's business operations and save money. Pete Aldridge, undersecretary of Defense for acquisition, technology and logistics, oversees the council.

The four initiatives announced March 26 are:

* A plan to streamline the information technology equipment disposal process by clarifying business rules and eliminating duplication.

* A plan to identify reporting requirements that can be eliminated.

* A plan to streamline mandated requirements for independent readiness assessments of critical technologies and allow program managers and science and technology officials from each service to decide if assessments are warranted.

* A plan to examine DOD's policies regarding wireless phone reimbursement in the hopes of providing a flat payment for employees using personal wireless phones for official use.

The four new initiatives bring the total number of initiatives to 32 since the group first met in September 2001.

Previous BIC initiatives included support of DOD's enterprisewide software licenses and plans to create a one-stop virtual shop for IT hardware, software and selected services.

Not all of the projects are specifically related to IT.

BIC officials also announced that, beginning April 1, the Army would take over from the Air Force as the lead service on the council. The Air Force had been the lead since October 2001.