Acquisition Workforce: The Department of Defense (DoD) Can Improve Its Management and Oversight by Tracking Data on Contractor Personnel and Taking Additional Actions

Abstract

Since 2001, Department of Defense's (DOD) spending on goods and services has more than doubled to $388 billion in 2008, while the number of civilian and military acquisition personnel has remained relatively stable. To supplement its in-house workforce, DOD relies heavily on contractor personnel. If it does not maintain an adequate workforce, DOD places its billion-dollar acquisitions at an increased risk of poor outcomes and vulnerability to fraud, waste, and abuse. In its March 2009 report, GAO recommended the Secretary of Defense, among other things, collect data on contractor personnel and identify the total acquisition workforce that the department needs to meet its missions. DOD concurred with three of the recommendations and noted that implementing the other requires careful consideration.