December 1999

Policy Analysis Center Chosen to Assist with Major Federal Contract By Elena Barbre George Mason's Policy Analysis Center has been selected as a subcontractor for a million-dollar enterprise integration project from the Naval Aviation Systems Command (NAVAIR). The Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Laboratory, a branch of the Policy Analysis Center in The Institute of Public Policy, develops enterprise resource planning solutions for local businesses and public sector organizations, with the goal of using technology to make these organizations more efficient. Thomas Gulledge, the director of the center, is enthusiastic about the project. "This is one of several major Defense Department projects relating to ERP," he says. "We are honored that NAVAIR has selected the Policy Analysis Center to document the requirements for a project of this scope. This is a major step forward in the development of our enterprise engineering and policy program." The contract, awarded to Condor Technology Solutions, Government Solutions Division, calls for an analysis of commercial standard software solutions that integrate business processes, such as accounting, payroll, human resources, acquisitions, procurement, and operations, to decide which solution the command should buy for enterprise resource planning. Graduate students in the Policy Analysis Center are working with Gulledge and Assistant Director Rainer Sommer to determine which commercial solutions are appropriate, and if the solutions can be applied to the public sector. "The phrase Ôenterprise resource planning' has come up as sort of a blip on the radar screen for the federal government," says Sommer. "It has always been there for the private sector, but it seems all of a sudden the government realizes the benefits of the systems." George Mason's role on the project is that of an advisor with research and development functions, says Gulledge. The contract team's findings will be presented to Navy officials early next year. More information about the project may be found at www.wtonline.com/vol14_no12/ netplex/776-1.html.