Most of this was in auto before Gates became SecDef. Remember Rumsfeld's shadow group was called Rumsfeld's shadow group, because Rumsfeld created it. Gates has had his hands full putting out all kinds of fires, trying to reorgnize behind Petraeus to do COIN, the air force losing nuclear weapons because they had no one in charge of not losing nuclear weapons. This probably did not seem like a problem that needed fixing. Also, I don't think Gates is on the military procurement gravy train, which requires sucking up to Murtha, in quite the way Winters was. Gates has been a fed most of his life, and then a University President, not a corporate suit.
Sorry Andy - had a brainfart - meant to say Sec Navy Winters not Gates...