Acquisition Workforce: DOD's Efforts to Rebuild Capacity Have Shown Some Progress

Abstract

The Department of Defense (DoD) is the government's largest buying entity and has recognized that rebuilding the acquisition workforce is a strategic priority. The Federal Government's current budget and long-term fiscal pressures underscore the importance of a capable and well-functioning workforce. GAO and others have long recognized that the size and capabilities of the workforce across the government warrant the attention of the Congress. This statement discusses the following: (1) DoD's progress in addressing challenges faced in rebuilding the capacity of the acquisition workforce, and (2) insights into the efforts by the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) to rebuild its contract oversight capacity. This statement is drawn from our broad body of work on DoD contract management and acquisition workforce as well as a report issued earlier this month on DCMA's efforts to rebuild capacity. We also obtained updated information from DoD with regard to its acquisition workforce competency assessments and workforce hiring. GAO is not making any new recommendations in this statement. GAO has previously made recommendations to DoD to help address DoD's workforce challenges. DoD generally agreed with most of the recommendations and has efforts under way to implement them.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Nov 16, 2011
Accession Number
ADA552418

Entities

People

  • John P. Hutton

Organizations

  • United States Government Accountability Office

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Human Systems

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Acquisition
  • Business Administration
  • Congress
  • Contract Administration
  • Contractors
  • Contracts
  • Department Of Defense
  • Electronic Mail
  • Employment
  • Governments
  • House Of Representatives
  • Management Personnel
  • Military Acquisition
  • Organizational Structure
  • Procurement
  • Training
  • United States Government

Readers

  • Economics
  • Government Contracting/Procurement.