Defense Acquisitions: Goals and Associated Metrics Needed to Assess Progress in Improving Service Acquisition
Abstract
In fiscal year 2012, DoD obligated more than $186 billion for contracted services, making it the federal government's largest buyer of services. GAO's prior work found that DoD's use of contracted services has been the result of thousands of individual decisions, not strategic planning across the department. Over the years, Congress has legislated a number of requirements to improve DoD's service acquisitions. For example, Congress required DoD to implement a service acquisition management structure, approval process, and policies. Congress also directed DoD to develop a plan to implement the Defense Science Board's recommendations for improving service acquisition. The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 mandated that GAO report on DoD's actions to improve service acquisition and management. GAO examined the following: (1) the actions that DoD has taken to respond to legislative requirements, and (2) how DoD determines the effects of its actions to improve service acquisition. GAO reviewed documentation and interviewed DoD officials on the actions taken in response to the legislative requirements. GAO also assessed whether DoD addressed key factors, including establishing goals and metrics, to help it determine if it has improved service acquisition. GAO recommends that DoD establish baseline data, specific goals for improving service acquisition, and associated metrics to assess its progress. DoD concurred with the three recommendations.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 2013
- Accession Number
- ADA581007
Entities
People
- Burns C. Eckert
- Danielle Greene
- Helena Brink
- Johana R. Ayers
- Justin Jaynes
- Kristine Hassinger
- Roxanna Sun
- Timothy J. Dinapoli
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office