A Benchmark Study of the Air Force Program Executive Office for Combat and Mission Support

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to provide the Air Force, Army, and Navy with a benchmark study of lessons learned from the implementation of the Air Force Program Executive Office for Combat and Mission Support. Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics Dr. Ashton Carter expressed in his June 2010 memorandum, Better Buying Power Obtaining Greater Efficiency and Productivity in Defense Spending, sent to all acquisition professionals, a need to improve tradecraft in service acquisition across the DoD. His memorandum directly stated that the Army and Navy should, following the Air Force's example, create a senior manager for the acquisition of services. This benchmark study seeks to use the Government Accountability Office Framework for Assessing the Acquisition Function at Federal Agencies to provide a list of best practices to all DoD agencies.