Defense Acquisition Reform: Where Do We Go From Here? A Compendium of Views by Leading Experts

Abstract

The U.S. Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations contacted over thirty experts from a broad range of backgrounds and solicited their views on a number of subjects relating to the Department of Defense's (DOD's) acquisition process and how the DOD's procurement of major weapon systems can be improved. While the experts who participated in this project offered a variety of views, a few common themes emerged. To help readers navigate their way through this compendium, the Subcommittee includes as an appendix a matrix that describes the specific prescriptions these experts offered regarding those themes. Otherwise, the Subcommittee notes the following: Nearly half of the experts feel that cultural change is required while over two-thirds believe improving incentives for the acquisition workforce is necessary for reform. Two-thirds of the contributors feel that training and recruiting of the acquisition workforce must be improved. Nearly half believe that DOD needs to attain realistic requirements at the start of a major acquisition program that includes budget-informed decisions. More than half of the submissions noted the need for strong accountability and leadership throughout the life-cycle of a weapon system with several experts stating the need to further integrate the Service Chiefs into the acquisition process.