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Photo of Richard B. Clifford
Richard B. Clifford
Deputy General Counsel

Acquisition


Attorneys in the Acquisition Division provide advice and assistance on acquisition, technology, and logistics matters. The Division provides advice on acquisition policy and contracting procedure and participates in planning, source selection, execution of major acquisition programs and oversight of contract-related litigation.

About GCQ

Major Programs and Mission Areas

Acquisition attorneys advise on acquisition planning, source selections, and contract administration for major weapons systems, information systems, and space systems acquisition Supported programs include:

-- Airlift and Trainers
-- Battle Management
-- Business Systems
-- Command and Control
-- Cyberspace
-- Fighters, Bombers and Attack Aircraft
-- Global Reach
-- Global Power
-- Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance
-- Nuclear Deterrence
-- Space Launch Services
-- Space Vehicles, Transportation, Communication, Surveillance, Weather Monitoring and Ground Control Systems
-- Special Access Programs
-- Weapons
Technology Transfer and Intellectual Property

Attorneys advise on intellectual property and technology transfer issues, including the patenting and licensing of technologies developed by the Air Force; the acquisition of rights in intellectual property developed by the private sector; defense against claims for patent, copyright, or trademark infringement; and, advising on a variety of research and development partnering instruments. Legal advice regarding the following areas is provided for by our office:

-- Copyrights, Patents, Trade Secrets, and Trademarks
-- Licenses and Royalties
-- Delivery of and Rights in Technical Data and Computer Software
-- Technology Transfer
-- Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADAs)
-- Science, Technology, and Engineering
tabLogistics and Maintenance
Attorneys advise on logistics policy, depot maintenance, and partnering with industry for work performed at the Air Force logistics activities.

Outsourcing and Privatization

Attorneys advise on privatization and on the sourcing of commercial activities under OMB Circular A-76. Attorneys provide guidance on ways to improve quality and reduce the cost of performing the Air Force mission in the following areas:

-- Energy Savings Performance Contracts
-- Enhanced Use Leases
-- Housing Privatization
-- Utilities Privatization

Policy and Regulations

The Division provides the Air Force legal representative to the Defense Acquisition Regulation (DAR) Council. Division attorneys provide guidance on the development, interpretation, and dissemination of Air Force acquisition and contracting policy. Division attorneys aid clients in developing Air Force positions on regulations included, or to be included, in the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), the Defense FAR Supplement (DFARS), and the Air Force FAR Supplement (AFFARS). Division attorneys draft legislation when needed to meet Air Force objectives.

Other Matters

-- Acquisition Workforce
-- Anti-Trust, Mergers
-- Civil Reserve Air Lift (CRAF)
-- Clinger-Cohen Act
-- Commercial Space Launch
--Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States
--Cost Accounting Standards
-- Domestic preferences (Buy American)
-- Contract Adjustment Board
-- Construction
-- Contingency Operations
-- Cooperative Agreements
-- Economy Act
-- Enterprise-wide Systems
-- Federally Funded Research and Development Centers
-- Facilities
-- Foreign Military Sales
-- Grants
-- Other Transactions
-- Pricing
-- Rapid Capabilities Office
-- Small Business
-- Supply Chain Risk Management
-- Tax