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STATEMENT FROM SENATOR JOHN MCCAIN ON THE FUTURE COMBAT SYSTEMS PROGRAM
April 5, 2005
Washington D.C. - Senator John McCain (R-AZ) released the following statement today commending the Army for its announcement regarding the restructuring of certain business aspects of the Future Combat Systems program:
"In a March 31, 2005 letter to the Army Secretary, I outlined concerns about whether taxpayers' interests were adequately protected in the Army's Future Combat Systems (FCS) program.
"In a meeting today, the Army Secretary indicated to me that he completely agreed with my concerns. In so doing, the Army Secretary presented an aggressive strategy centered around reconstructing the 'other transaction authority' (OTA) agreement supporting this multi-billion dollar program. Most notably, the Army indicated that it would convert the OTA to a FAR-based contract, with provisions typically used to protect taxpayers' interests and help prevent fraud, waste and abuse specifically included. For whatever reason, these provisions were not included in the original OTA.
"I am gratified by the Army Secretary's receptiveness to my concerns about the program and I am looking forward to seeing precisely how the Army implements its stated commitment to ensuring that the interests of the taxpayer are preserved."
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