An Analysis of the Effect of Knowledge Management on the Execution of Simplified Acquisition Procedures
Abstract
Simplified acquisition procedures (SAPs) are a fundamental and ubiquitous component of federal contracting and are executed by acquisition professionals at all levels of government. Because of their relative simplicity, procurements using SAPs are often left to less experienced personnel who are in the inchoate stages of developing their skills and knowledge. Knowledge management represents the effective organization, dissemination, and utilization of an enterprise's knowledge resources. When designed and executed with sagacity, knowledge management can be used to enhance an organization's effectiveness in executing its mission with consistent and efficacious expertise. The goal of this research is to enable a contracting function to employ knowledge management to gain a competitive advantage in procurements using SAPs by leveraging existing databases, expertise, available training, and other sources of enterprise knowledge. Our primary research question is the following: How can procurements using SAPs be executed more effectively using knowledge management? Our secondary research questions are as follows: What is knowledge? What is knowledge management? What are typical sources of knowledge in a contracting organization? and What sources of knowledge are preferred by contracting personnel? The research methodology we use in this report includes the following: a literature review focused on knowledge management, contracting processes, and government regulations outlined in the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR); and interviews with experienced contracting professionals from DoD contracting functions.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 27, 2012
- Accession Number
- ADA570585
Entities
People
- Hugh J. Williams
- Jon D. Barnes
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School