Improving the Procurement of Information Technology Commodities
Abstract
The Department of Defense (DoD) has been advancing acquisition reform for decades. However, in today's era of military downsizing, tight resources, and rapidly changing national security objectives, the need for reform-- especially with respect to commercial information technology (IT) commodities-- is particularly urgent. The current system often takes too long to award and administer contracts. In addition, it can be difficult for contracting personnel to award and maintain contracts that reflect current market prices and cutting edge technology. Taxpayers too often bear the costs of inefficiency and over- regulation in terms of lost performance, quality and innovation. Responsible reform will address these deficiencies while retaining or maximizing the many values of the current system. AVC, formerly known as the Air Force Computer Acquisition Center, is an agency that makes improvements and advances reform on its own. They have been successfully meeting their customers needs since 1963. Our intention is not to discount their experience or competence, but to highlight potential areas for improvement. The following proposals will allow AVC to serve its customers in a way that is faster, cheaper, and easier. Two proposals would alter the current procurement system to improve the purchase of IT commodities and one would make better use of available IT to improve the general procurement system.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 12, 1994
- Accession Number
- ADA282282
Entities
People
- Amy A. Mccallum
- Michael B. Starr
Organizations
- Air Force Institute of Technology