Defense Acquisition Process: Delaying Capability to the Warfighter
Abstract
If the challenges in the DoD acquisition system are not proactively managed they can lead to long cycle times in the acquisition process that in turn cause programs to overrun established cost estimates, can lead to obsolete parts and decreased capabilities, and create a general mistrust for the DoD and the senior executives. This paper will provide an introduction of the defense acquisition system, analysis of the bureaucracy contributing to the lack of confidence in the acquisition system, the challenges encountered in the acquisition system using the F/A-22 as an example, and discuss some of the initiatives for improvement and the implementation plans of those initiatives. There were numerous program challenges including chasing technology, budget instability, unrealistic expectations, artificial division of the workload, acquisition process timeline, and increased legislation just to name a few. Each of these individually could derail an acquisition program and the F/A-22 encountered all of them. Senior DoD executives have recognized the challenges and are implementing new initiatives including a commitment from the leadership team to change, increasing communication between the government and contractor teams, continuing the feedback mechanism for acquisition process reform, incentivizing productivity and innovation, and promoting real competition in programs. Proactive leadership and management from the senior executives is essential for these new.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 04, 2015
- Accession Number
- AD1175972
Entities
People
- Robert J. Mcfarland