Middle-Tier Defense Acquisitions: Rapid Prototyping and Fielding Requires Changes to Oversight and Development Approaches

Abstract

The Department of Defense (DOD) is continually challenged to deliver capabilities to its warfighters at the pace of innovation. Section 804 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 required DOD to establish guidance for an alternative acquisition process, now referred to as the middle tier of acquisition (MTA). Since GAO’s June 2019 report on the use of MTA authorities, DOD has reported an increase in programs using the pathway, from 35 programs to nearly 100 in 2022. In light of this increased use, GAO was asked to review DOD’s oversight and execution of MTA programs.