Design Agents: A Post-Acquisition Reform Cost-Benefit Analysis

Abstract

Design agents, by definition, perform during early part of acquisition lifecycle (SD&D). Roles include: requirements generation, technology development, systems integration, and others (source selection, supply chain management, testing, validation). Design agent research questions: 1) Has the Design Agent phenomenon driven up acquisition costs for DoD programs? 2) Have Design Agent initiatives generally weakened DoD's ability to coordinate and control its major programs? Cost comparisons of "Design Agent"-led programs to traditional DoD-led programs are difficult, as roles often transcend labels. Cost comparisons of Military / civilian / contractor personnel are straightforward, but must be understood in (qualitative) context. Cost-sharing arrangements (Facilities, Software) as well as intra-Government transactions (GFE/GFI) must be clearly understood.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 01, 2008
Accession Number
ADA494179

Entities

People

  • Kathy H. Loudin

Organizations

  • Naval Surface Warfare Center

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Ground and Sea Platforms
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Acquisition
  • Arleigh Burke Class
  • Boats
  • Contractors
  • Contracts
  • Cooperative Engagement Capability
  • Cost Benefit Analysis
  • Costs
  • Defense Industry
  • Engineering
  • Fleet Ballistic Missiles
  • Navy
  • Ships
  • Supply Chain
  • Supply Chain Management
  • Systems Engineering
  • Uss Arleigh Burke

Readers

  • Economics
  • Government Contracting/Procurement.
  • Systems Analysis and Design