Book Description

Recent events in the Air Force surrounding the illegal actions of former Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Darleen Druyun highlighted the need to review the management and oversight structure of acquisition activities in the Department of Defense (DoD). DoD, through the Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics USD(AT AND L), established the Defense Science Board (DSB) Task Force on Management Oversight of Acquisition Organizations to examine its acquisition structures and processes; survey and assess best practices; and recommend changes to improve checks and balances to better ensure acquisition integrity. The Task Force was also asked to consider whether: (1) structural problems exist that place too much decision authority in one individual or at a level without adequate oversight; and (2) a simplified acquisition structure could improve both efficiency and oversight. The Task Force was co-chaired by two members of the Defense Science Board. Task Force members and key contributors included former Defense Department and other Federal Government officials, as well as members of industry and academia. During the course of its work, the Task Force reviewed a wide array of written materials and heard from experts in the fields of acquisition, procurement, ethics and integrity, human resources, leadership, organization, oversight, and best practices.