From Defence Procurement Agency to armasuisse

armasuisse, A new name, a new corporate identity and new structures: Since 1 January 2004 the former Defence Procurement Agency operates under its new name armasuisse. armasuisse is the Procurement and Technology Center of the DDPS. With its around 1000 employees, armasuisse develops tailor-made solutions for military and civilian customers.  
 
As Procurement and Technology Center of the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sports DDPS, armasuisse (formerly known as Defence Procurement Agency) is responsible for the development, evaluation, procurement and disposal of systems, equipment and infrastructure for the armed forces and other customers. swisstopo, a corporate sector of armasuisse, produces maps and geotopographic data.  
 
A provider with many competences, armasuisse covers a wide range of activities. They include the procurement of complex systems, the planning and realization of military buildings, and the supply of scientific and technical services. armasuisse is organized in three federal offices as well as the sectors Infrastructure, Science+Technology and Central Services:  
 
–The Federal Office for Command and and Control, Telematics and Training Systems (FCTT) is responsible for the procurement and management of all command and control, telematics and training systems of the Swiss Armed Forces.  
 
–The Federal Office for Weapon Systems, Vehicles and Equipment (FWVE) is responsible for the procurement and management of all aeronautical and land systems as well as vehicles and general equipment of the Swiss Armed Forces.  
 
–The Federal Office of Topography (swisstopo) produces top quality maps and geodata sets, acquires and updates the basic geodetic and topographic data, and is responsible for the cadastral surveying of Switzerland.  
 
–The Infrastructure sector of armasuisse is in charge of the efficient and effective management of the real estate portfolio of the Departement of Defence, Civil Protection and Sports DDPS. It bears the economic, ecological and technical responsibility for around 26'000 properties.  
 
–The newly formed Center for Science + Technology carries out technical investigations and expert's surveys for armasuisse and the entire department. The services in the fields of ballistics, explosive diagnostics, electromagnetic compatibility, electronics and optronics are also available to private customers.  
 
–As service center the Central Services control and monitor the process oriented financial, legal, human resources and logistic management for the entire armasuisse.  
 
 
Economical solutions  
 
“We look for and procure the offer with the best price/performance ratio. Our customers get the most suitable product at the right time and under the best terms and conditions”, that's how Dr. Alfred Markwalder, Chief of Armament, describes one of the central business objectives. armasuisse is both competent to procure a modern fighter aircraft and to buy vehicles or incidentals for military and civilian customers at low prices.  
 
Primarily armasuisse provides services for the Swiss Armed Forces. However, it also offers them to civilian institutions. In particular it addresses the following target groups: cantons and communities, police corps, semi-public and international institutions, as well as the private sector. Customers benefit from the personnel's in-depth knowledge on public procurement as well as from the extensive market and product know-how. Procurement mandates, the coordination of orders as well as commercial and technical consulting are possible.  
 
The personnel of armasuisse can offer you a wide range of commercial, technical and scientific competences. Risks are assessed and minimized by means of system requirements, specifications and careful credit management. The business processes are certified according to ISO 9001 (quality) and ISO 14001 (environment).  
 
 
Industrial partnership  
 
armasuisse closely cooperates with its domestic and foreign industrial partners. Over the years it has developed excellent relations to manufacturers all over the world and is in permanent contact with internationally active foreign procurement organizations.  
 
The reduction of the armed forces leads to a decrease in the need for equipment and systems. armasuisse plays an important part in the sale of surplus military equipment. The sale aims at lowering operational costs and realizing sales revenues.  
 
 
Adjusting to changes  
 
As a result of the downsized and readjusted Swiss Armed Forces, the increasing technological complexity and cost pressure, the Procurement and Technology Center of the DDPS was completely restructured effective 1 January 2004. This includes the streamlining of organization and procurement processes, the reorientation of Science + Technology, and a new corporate identity under the name armasuisse. The reform, which will continue in the years to come, also includes a reduction in staff by 15 percent, to be realized by 2007.