DOD Plan to Split Acquisition Duties

Abstract

On August 2, 2017, the Department of Defense (DOD) provided Congress its plan for breaking the Office of the Secretary of Defense's acquisition office the Under Secretary of Defense (USD) for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics (AT&L)into two separate organizations, as required by the FY2017 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), Section 901. The NDAA conference report laid out the concerns that drove the split: "Three broad priorities framed the conference discussions: (1) elevate the mission of advancing technology and innovation within the Department; (2) foster distinct technology and acquisition cultures to better deliver superior capabilities for the armed forces; and (3) provide greater oversight and management of the Department's Fourth Estate." The Fourth Estate usually refers to those components of DOD not part of the Departments of Army, Navy, or Air Force. In addition to splitting USD AT&L, the DOD plan also covers how the Chief Management Officer's organization will be restructured to meet Congress's stated third aim.