A Model for Determining Optimal Governance Structure in DoD Acquisition Projects in a Performance-Based Environment

Abstract

Prior to the requirement for performance-based contracting, the government structured its acquisition regulations and business practices in a way that resulted primarily in transactional exchanges between the government and industry. The transition to performance-based contracting has created the need for the government to better understand how to both design and govern long-term relationships with their suppliers. This study develops a conceptual model that provides a framework for assessing how knowledge of variables such as environmental uncertainty, task stability, technology application certainty, risk, and transaction-specific investments impact the selection of the optimal mode of governance. Our model views governance alternatives along a continuum ranging from short-term transactional exchanges to more long-term relations exchanges. Moreover, our model predicts the circumstance under which various governance alternatives would be optimal. Finally, we use data from several ACAT I programs to assess the validity of selected components of the model and to assess the impact of governance type on program outcomes.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 09, 2011
Accession Number
ADA555394

Entities

People

  • David Berkowitz
  • Gregory Gundlach
  • Jim Simpson
  • Joshua Jones
  • Tom Kallam

Organizations

  • University of Alabama in Huntsville

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Human Systems
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Acquisition
  • Air Force
  • Business Administration
  • Commerce
  • Contracts
  • Defense Industry
  • Government Procurement
  • Governments
  • Investments
  • Logistics
  • Management Personnel
  • Military Acquisition
  • Organizational Structure
  • Procurement
  • Supply Chain
  • Test And Evaluation
  • War Colleges

Readers

  • Computational Modeling and Simulation
  • Defense Acquisition Program Management