The Special Operations Research, Development, and Acquisition Center (SORDAC) Was established as a separate staff element of U.S. Special Operations Command at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida on February 1, 1991. The Center serves as the centralized management agency for the research. development and acquisition of special operations-peculiar equipment, supplies and services. The SORDAC will be headed by a member of the Department of Defense's Senior Executive Service (SES). The current Acting Director of the SORDAC is Colonel Douglas T. Richardson, U.S. Army.

BACKGROUND

The 1986 Goldwater-Nichols DoD Reorganization Act changed many aspects of the DoD research, development, and acquisition (RD&A) system. Title 10, U.S. Code, Section 167, assigned the Commander in Chief, U.S. Special Operations Command (USCINCSOC) responsibility to develop and acquire special operations-peculiar equipment, supplies and services, as well as to validate special operations forces' requirements. Collocated with the SORDAC will be the command's procurement office, headed by Army Colonel Danny S. Porter.

An amendment to Section 167, Public Law 100-180, provided USCINCSOC with the authority to function as Head of Agency (HOA) for Acquisition subject to authority, direction and control of the Secretary of Defense. These authorities allow US CINCSOC to delegate procurement functions, establish a contracting office, and sign agreements with other Heads of Agency. To meet U.S. Special Operations Command's (USSOCOM) mandated responsibilities within the DoD's acquisition system, the SORDAC was established.

THE CENTER

The SORDAC directly supports USCINCSOC as the Agency Head. The Center is staffed by approximately 45 personnel dedicated to RD&A activities.

SORDAC activities are organized among two functional sections: Systems Management Division, and the Analysis and Integration Division. The Director, SORDAC, functions as Program Executive Officer (PEO) and has the responsibility, authority and accountability for all special operations-peculiar acquisition programs. SORDAC is not meant to duplicate, but rather complement, the RD&A efforts of the Services and Defense Agencies.

SORDAC MISSIONS

• Provide research, development, and acquisition and procurement support to the activities and commands of the United States Special Operations Forces.
• Plan, direct, review, and evaluate the specialized materiel development and acquisition for USSOCOM under general or specific instructions from Director, SORDAC or upon receipt of specific requirements from U.S. Special Operations Command.
• Procurement of authorized special operations-peculiar equipment, supplies and service.
• Direct/manage research and development to upgrade existing materiel items or to provide new, and/or unique materiel items.
• Conduct liaison with components to ensure that development programs meet operational requirements; and conduct liaison with counterparts in the U.S. Army, Air Force, Navy and Marines, and federal laboratories to remain abreast of doctrine, tactics, and materiel being employed by forces of all services and being developed in the laboratories.
• Develop and promulgate acquisition policies and procedures to operate a uniform acquisition system which is consistent with DoD and Federal policies.

Individuals or companies needing additional information about, or desiring to conduct business with, the SORDAC should contact:

U.S. Special Operations Command

ATTN: SORDAC

MacDill Air Force Base, Florida 33608-6001

Telephone: Commercial (813)-840-5247

DSN: 299-5247

Gunnery Network - SOF