Book Description

Acquisition streamlining is enjoying increased attention since procurement of weapon systems has become more complex and lengthy from identification of a Mission Need Statement (MNS) to deployment of the system. Streamlining is required by directives governing the acquisition process for the Department of Defense, yet procurement remains quite cumbersome in execution. This thesis goes beyond streamlining the acquisition cycle and provides methods of accelerating the procurement process within current laws and directives. Using the Marine Corps' Advanced Amphibious Assault Vehicle Program as an example, the researcher discovered that strategies exist which can specifically be tailored to accelerate procurement of the AAAV without adding prohibitive program risk. To implement these methods tailoring of the acquisition cycle to specifically fit the unique characteristics of the AAAV is required. While there is no prohibition against tailoring the acquisition cycle to specific programs, the Department of Defense tends to be very risk averse with respect to acquisition of weapon systems. The AAAV represents a weapon system that is uniquely poised for acceleration of the acquisition cycle through tailoring. Recognition by DOD that there is a legitimate need for accelerating procurement of the AAAV, and that program risk will not increase because of acceleration must occur prior to utilizing the recommendations of this study.