Accession Number:

ADA581007

Title:

Defense Acquisitions: Goals and Associated Metrics Needed to Assess Progress in Improving Service Acquisition

Descriptive Note:

Congressional rept.

Corporate Author:

GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE WASHINGTON DC

Personal Author(s):

• DiNapoli, Timothy J.
• Ayers, Johana R.
• Brink, Helena
• Eckert, Burns C.
• Greene, Danielle
• Hassinger, Kristine
• Jaynes, Justin
• Sun, Roxanna

Report Date:

2013-06-01

Pagination or Media Count:

55.0

Abstract:

In fiscal year 2012, DoD obligated more than 186 billion for contracted services, making it the federal governments largest buyer of services. GAOs prior work found that DoDs use of contracted services has been the result of thousands of individual decisions, not strategic planning across the department. Over the years, Congress has legislated a number of requirements to improve DoDs service acquisitions. For example, Congress required DoD to implement a service acquisition management structure, approval process, and policies. Congress also directed DoD to develop a plan to implement the Defense Science Boards recommendations for improving service acquisition. The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 mandated that GAO report on DoDs actions to improve service acquisition and management. GAO examined the following 1 the actions that DoD has taken to respond to legislative requirements, and 2 how DoD determines the effects of its actions to improve service acquisition. GAO reviewed documentation and interviewed DoD officials on the actions taken in response to the legislative requirements. GAO also assessed whether DoD addressed key factors, including establishing goals and metrics, to help it determine if it has improved service acquisition. GAO recommends that DoD establish baseline data, specific goals for improving service acquisition, and associated metrics to assess its progress. DoD concurred with the three recommendations.

Descriptors:

• *CONTRACTED SERVICES
• *DEFICIENCIES
• *DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
• *LEGISLATION
• *METRICS
• *MILITARY PROCUREMENT
• *REQUIREMENTS
• BASE LINES
• CONTRACTORS
• MANAGEMENT PLANNING AND CONTROL
• PERSONNEL DEVELOPMENT
• POLICIES

Subject Categories:

• Administration and Management
• Sociology and Law
• Logistics, Military Facilities and Supplies

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE