Demographics of the Contracting Workforce within the Army Contracting Command

Abstract

This study focuses on the demographics of contracting personnel in the Army Contracting Command (ACC). Numerous acquisition studies and commissions have cited personnel management as one of the most critical factors contributing to the success or failure of buying organizations. Further, strategic human capital management and DOD Contract Management have been on the Government Accountability Office (GAO) High-Risk List for the last several years. Actions to understand the nature and dynamics of the acquisition workforce are important in the development and execution of an integrated, strategic, human capital management plan. This research focused primarily on identifying basic demographics for contracting personnel in the 1102 occupational series in ACC. The research consisted of two principal aspects. First, what is the baseline status of critical demographic factors of the ACC contracting workforce? Second, how does the ACC workforce compare with other similar contracting populations such as other Services and DOD agencies, other Federal Government agencies, and even in the commercial or private sector? The key demographics upon which this study focused included: (1) education level; (2) contracting certification level; (3) gender; (4) age; (5) retirement eligibility; (6) rank (military) and grade level (civilians); (7) pay plan (civilians); (8) experience; (9) supervisory vs. non-supervisory personnel; and (10) contractor personnel. These demographics were examined at two different points in time in order to perform trend analysis.