Section 809 Panel - Recommendation #18 - Fund Defense Business Systems in a Way that Allows for Commonly Accepted Software Development Approaches

Abstract

The current statutory and policy regime does not enable the speed the Department of Defense (DoD) needs to effectively acquire defense business systems (DBSs). Funding constraints, in various forms, are key contributors to this problem. The traditional appropriations model provides a helpful framework when developing complex weapons systems; however, it is fundamentally incompatible with business software programs intended to deliver new capabilities multiple times per year. This recommendation would allow DoD to manage DBS funding through internal reprogramming guidelines for reclassifying funds and movement of DBS funding across operations and maintenance accounts, research development test and evaluation accounts, and procurement accounts.